Proving Termination of Nonlinear Command Sequences

Domagoj Babic, Byron Cook, Alan J. Hu, Zvonimir Rakamaric. Formal Aspects of Computing (FAC), 2012. (Invited.)
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Abstract: We describe a simple and efficient algorithm for proving the termination of a class of loops with nonlinear assignments to variables. The method is based on divergence testing for each variable in the cone-of-influence of the loop’s condition. The analysis allows us to automatically prove the termination of loops that cannot be handled using previous techniques. We also describe a method for integrating our nonlinear termination proving technique into a larger termination proving framework that depends on linear reasoning.

Bibtex:

@article{fac2012-bchr,
  author = {Domagoj Babi\'c and Byron Cook and Alan J. Hu and
    Zvonimir Rakamari\'c},
  title = {Proving Termination of Nonlinear Command Sequences},
  journal = {Formal Aspects of Computing},
  year = {2012},
  pages = {1--15},
  publisher = {Springer-Verlag},
  issn = {0934-5043}
}