ADVANCE D3.2 Language extension

Overview

Mathematical extensions have been co-developed by Systerel (for the Core Rodin Platform) and Southampton (for the Theory plug-in). The main purpose of this new feature was to provide the Rodin user with a way to extend the standard Event-B mathematical language by supporting user-defined operators, basic predicates and algebraic types. Along with these additional notations, the user can also define new proof rules (proof extensions).

The Theory plugin provides, among other things, a user-friendly mechanism to extend the Event-B mathematical language as well as the prover. The theory component is used to hold mathematical extensions (datatypes, operators with direct definitions, operators with recursive definitions and operators with axiomatic definitions), and proof extensions (polymorphic theorems, rewrite and inference rules). Theories are developed in the workspace (akin to models), and are subject to static checking and proof obligation generation. Proof obligations generated from theories ensure any contributed extensions do not compromise the soundness of the existing infrastructure for modelling and proof. In essence, the Theory plugin provides a systematic platform for defining, validating and using extensions while exploiting the benefits brought by proof obligations.

Motivations / Decisions

In the past 9 months, the development of the Theory plugin resulted in the following additions:

• • Support for polymorphic theorems in proofs:
  • Added Support of Axiomatic Definitions:

Available Documentation

• Pre-studies (states of the art, proposals, discussions).
  • Proposals for Mathematical Extensions for Event-B
  • Mathematical Extension in Event-B through the Rodin Theory Component
  • Generic Parser's Design Alternatives
  • Theoretical Description of Structured Types
• Technical details (specifications).
  • Mathematical_Extensions wiki page
  • Constrained Dynamic Lexer wiki page
  • Constrained Dynamic Parser wiki page
  • Theory plug-in wiki page
  • Records Extension Documentation on wiki
• Teaching materials (tutorials).
• User's guides.
  • Theory Plug-in User Manual

Planning

The Theory plugin became part of the core distribution of Rodin since version 2.6.

Issam Maamria will not be part of Advance after July 31, 2012.