Concrete Semantics – A Proof Assistant Approach

Concrete Semantics – A Proof Assistant Approach is a comprehensive guide to the formal verification of software systems using the proof assistant Isabelle/HOL. The book presents an innovative approach to teaching the principles of programming languages and their semantics using a combination of concrete examples, formal proofs, and interactive tools.

The book is organized into three main parts. The first part introduces the basic concepts of functional programming and formal semantics, and presents the Isabelle/HOL proof assistant. The second part focuses on programming language semantics and includes chapters on lambda calculus, type systems, operational semantics, and denotational semantics. The third part covers advanced topics such as concurrent programming, program verification, and program synthesis.

The authors of Concrete Semantics – A Proof Assistant Approach have extensive experience in both academia and industry, and have collaborated on numerous projects related to formal methods and software engineering. They draw on this experience to provide clear explanations and practical examples that help readers understand the complex concepts presented in the book.

The book is aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students in computer science, as well as researchers and practitioners interested in formal methods for software engineering. It assumes no prior knowledge of formal methods or proof assistants, and provides a gentle introduction to the subject matter before delving into more advanced topics.

One of the unique features of the book is its use of concrete examples to illustrate abstract concepts. The authors use a range of programming languages, including Java, ML, and Haskell, to demonstrate how different programming paradigms can be modeled using formal semantics. This approach helps readers understand the relationship between syntax, semantics, and program behavior, and prepares them for more advanced topics such as program verification and synthesis.

Overall, Concrete Semantics – A Proof Assistant Approach is a valuable resource for anyone interested in formal methods and software engineering. Its clear explanations, practical examples, and interactive tools make it an ideal textbook for advanced courses in programming languages, semantics, and formal methods.