An Assertion-Based Logic for Local Reasoning about Probabilistic Programs

  • Huiling Wu
  • , Anran Cui
  • , Yuxin Deng*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We introduce an assertion-based logic specifically designed for local reasoning about probabilistic programs featuring unbounded loops. Distribution formulas and their extensions facilitate the representation of invariants for unbounded loops in probabilistic programs. The assertions connected by separating conjunction exhibit probabilistic independence, which more intuitively displays the mutually independent properties of variables and ensures that the logic supports local reasoning. We prove the soundness of our logic and showcase its effectiveness through the formal verification of a wide range of examples including probabilistic inference in Bayesian networks and security analysis of cryptographic schemes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDependable Software Engineering. Theories, Tools, and Applications - 10th International Symposium, SETTA 2024, Proceedings
EditorsTimothy Bourke, Liqian Chen, Amir Goharshady
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages25-45
Number of pages21
ISBN (Print)9789819606016
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
Event10th International Symposium on Dependable Software Engineering: Theories, Tools and Applications, SETTA 2024 - Hong Kong, China
Duration: 26 Nov 202428 Nov 2024

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume15469 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference10th International Symposium on Dependable Software Engineering: Theories, Tools and Applications, SETTA 2024
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period26/11/2428/11/24

Keywords

  • Probabilistic programs
  • Separation logic
  •  Local reasoning

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