Systems of fixpoint equations: Abstraction, games, up-to techniques and local algorithms

Abstract

Systems of fixpoint equations over complete lattices, which combine least and greatest fixpoints, often arise from verification tasks such as model checking and behavioural equivalence checking. In this paper we develop a theory of approximation in the style of abstract interpretation, where a system over some concrete domain is abstracted into a system on a suitable abstract domain, ensuring sound and possibly complete over-approximations of the solutions. We also show how up-to techniques, commonly used to simplify coinductive proofs, fit into this framework, interpreted as abstractions. Additionally, we characterise the solution of fixpoint equation systems through parity games, extending prior work limited to continuous lattices. This game-based approach allows for local algorithms that verify system properties, such as determining whether a state satisfies a formula or two states are behaviourally equivalent. We describe a local algorithm, that can be combined with abstraction and up-to techniques to speed up the computation.