Verification of logic programs

Abstract

We present a proof method in the style of Hoare's logic, aimed at providing a unifying framework for the verification of total correctness of logic and Prolog programs. The method, which relies on purely declarative reasoning, has been designed as a trade-off between expresiveness and ease of use. On the basis of a few simple principles, we reason uniformly on several properties of logic and Prolog programs, including partial correctness, call patterns, absence of run-time errors, safe omission of the occur-check, computed instances, termination and modula program development. We finally generalize the method to general programs.