Logics of Programs.

TLDR: In this paper, the authors present an introduction to some of the basic issues in the study of program logics and discuss their syntax, semantics, proof theory, and expressiveness.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter presents an introduction to some of the basic issues in the study of program logics. The chapter describes various forms of first-order Dynamic Logic and discusses their syntax, semantics, proof theory, and expressiveness. The chapter discusses the power of auxiliary data structures such as arrays and stacks, and a powerful assignment statement called the nondeterministic assignment. Program logics differ from classical logics in that truth is dynamic rather than static. In classical predicate logic, the truth value of a formula is determined by a valuation of its free variables over some structure. The valuation and the truth value of the formula it induces are regarded as immutable. In program logics, there are explicit syntactic constructs called programs to change the values of variables, thereby changing the truth values of formulas. There are two main approaches to modal logics of programs: (1) the exogenous approach, exemplified by Dynamic Logic and its precursor, the Partial Correctness Assertions Method; and (2) the endogenous approach, exemplified by Temporal Logic and its precursor, the Inductive Assertions Method.