Many semantical aspects of programming languages are specified through calculi for constructing proofs: consider, for example, the specification of structured operational semantics, labeled transition systems, and typing systems. Recent proof theory research has identified two features that allow direct, logic-based reasoning about such descriptions: the treatment of atomic judgments as fixed points (recursive definitions) and an encoding of binding constructs via generic judgments. However, the logics encompassing these two features have thus far treated them orthogonally. In particular, they have not contained the ability to form definitions of object-logic properties that themselves depend on an intrinsic treatment of binding. We propose a new and simple integration of these features within an intuitionistic logic enhanced with induction over natural numbers and we show that the resulting logic is consistent. The pivotal part of the integration allows recursive definitions to define generic judgments in general and not just the simpler atomic judgments that are traditionally allowed. The usefulness of this logic is illustrated by showing how it can provide elegant treatments of object-logic contexts that appear in proofs involving typing calculi and arbitrarily cascading substitutions in reducibility arguments.

Abstract. We discuss coverage checking for data that is dependently typed and is defined using higher-order abstract syntax. Unlike previous work on coverage checking that required objects to be closed, we consider open data objects, i.e. objects that may depend on some context. Our work may therefore provide insights into coverage checking in Twelf, and serve as a basis for coverage checking in functional languages such as Delphin and Beluga. More generally, our work is a foundation for proofs by case analysis in systems that reason about higher-order abstract syntax. 1

Recursive relational specifications are commonly used to describe the computational structure of formal systems. Recent research in proof theory has identified two features that facilitate direct, logic-based reasoning about such descriptions: the interpretation of atomic judgments through recursive definitions and an encoding of binding constructs via generic judgments. However, logics encompassing these two features do not currently allow for the definition of relations that embody dynamic aspects related to binding, a capability needed in many reasoning tasks. We propose a new relation between terms called nominal abstraction as a means for overcoming this deficiency. We incorporate nominal abstraction into a rich logic also including definitions, generic quantification, induction, and co-induction that we then prove to be consistent. We present examples to show that this logic can provide elegant treatments of binding contexts that appear in many proofs, such as those establishing properties of typing calculi and of arbitrarily cascading substitutions that play a role in reducibility arguments.

We present a novel formulation of the modal logic CPL, a constructive logic of provability that is closely connected to the Gödel-Löb logic of provability. Our logical formulation allows modal operators to talk about both provability and non-provability of propositions at reachable worlds. We are interested in the applications of CPL to logic programming; however, this report focuses on the presentation of a minimal fragment (in the sense of minimal logic) of CPL and on the formalization of minimal CPL and its metatheory in the Agda programming language. We present both a natural deduction system and a sequent calculus for minimal CPL and show that the presentations are equivalent.

While logic was once developed to serve philosophers and mathematicians, it is increasingly serving the varied needs of computer scientists. In fact, recent decades have witnessed the creation of the new discipline of Computational Logic. While Computation Logic can claim involvement in many, diverse areas of computing, little has been done to systematize the foundations of this new discipline. Here, we envision a unity for Computational Logic organized around recent developments in the theory of sequent calculus proofs. We outline how new tools and methodologies can be developed around a boarder approach to computational logic. Computational logic, unity of logic, proof theory 1. SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE CORRECTNESS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT Computer systems are everywhere in our societies and their integration with all parts of our lives is constantly increasing. There are a host of computer systems—such as those in cars, airplanes, missiles, hospital equipment—where correctness of software is

Nominal abstract syntax and higher-order abstract syntax provide a means for describing binding structure which is higher-level than traditional techniques. These approaches have spawned two different communities which have developed along similar lines but with subtle differences that make them difficult to relate. The nominal abstract syntax community has devices like names, freshness, name-abstractions with variable capture, and the-quantifier, whereas the higher-order abstract syntax community has devices like λ-binders, λ-conversion, raising, and the ∇-quantifier. This paper aims to unify these communities and provide a concrete correspondence between their different devices. In particular, we develop a semantics-preserving translation from αProlog, a nominal abstract syntax based logic programming language, to G − , a higher-order abstract syntax based logic programming language. We also discuss higher-order judgments, a common and powerful tool for specifications with higher-order abstract syntax, and we show how these can be incorporated into G −. This establishes G − as a language with the power of higher-order abstract syntax, the fine-grained variable control of nominal specifications, and the desirable properties of higher-order judgments.

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interpretation and verification. Operational and denotational semantics of logic programs feature simple and clean inductive definitions that made it possible to apply a variety of known analysis and verification techniques and tools and to define new ones

We specify the operational semantics and bisimulation relations for the finite π-calculus within a logic that contains the ∇ quantifier for encoding generic judgments and definitions for encoding fixed points. Since we restrict to the finite case, the ability of the logic to unfold fixed points allows this logic to be complete for both the inductive nature of operational semantics and the coinductive nature of bisimulation. The ∇ quantifier helps with the delicate issues surrounding the scope of variables within π-calculus expressions and their executions (proofs). We illustrate several merits of the logical specifications permitted by this logic: they are natural and declarative; they contain no side-conditions concerning names of variables while maintaining a completely formal treatment of such variables; differences between late and open bisimulation relations arise from familar logic distinctions; the interplay between the three quantifiers (∀, ∃, and ∇) and their scopes can explain the differences between early and late bisimulation and between various modal operators based on bound input and output actions; and proof search involving the application of inference rules, unification, and backtracking can provide complete proof systems for one-step transitions, bisimulation, and satisfaction in modal logic. We also illustrate how one can encode

Abstract. We describe an approach to using one logic to reason about specifications written in a second logic. One level of logic, called the “reasoning logic”, is used to state theorems about computational specifications. This logic is classical or intuitionistic and should contain strong proof principles such as induction and co-induction. The second level of logic, called the “specification logic”, is used to specify computation. While computation can be specified using a number of formal techniques—e.g., Petri nets, process calculus, and state machines—we shall illustrate the merits and challenges of using logic programming-like specifications of computation. 1