arabelatso/skills-4-se/abstract-invariant-generator

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Uses abstract interpretation to automatically infer loop invariants, function preconditions, and postconditions for formal verification. Generates invariants that capture program behavior and support correctness proofs in Dafny, Isabelle, Coq, and other verification systems. Use when adding formal specifications to code, generating verification conditions, inferring contracts for functions, or discovering loop invariants for proofs.

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npx vskill@latest install arabelatso/skills-4-se/abstract-invariant-generator

SKILL.md

Abstract Invariant Generator

Overview

This skill uses abstract interpretation to automatically infer loop invariants, function preconditions, and postconditions. It generates formal specifications that support verification and reasoning about program correctness.

Invariant Generation Workflow

Step 1: Identify Specification Points

Analyze the code to identify where invariants are needed:

Loop Invariants: For each loop

python
while condition:
# Need: invariant that holds before/after each iteration
body

Function Contracts: For each function

python
def function(params):
# Need: precondition (what must be true on entry)
body
# Need: postcondition (what is guaranteed on exit)

Assertions: For verification points

python
# Need: invariant that holds at this point
assert property
Step 2: Perform Abstract Interpretation

Use abstract domains to infer properties:

Interval Analysis: Infer numeric ranges

python
i = 0
while i < n:
# Inferred: 0 ≤ i < n
i += 1
# Inferred: i = n

Relational Analysis: Infer relationships between variables

python
i = 0
j = 0
while i < n:
# Inferred: i = j
i += 1
j += 1

Shape Analysis: Infer data structure properties

python
while node is not None:
# Inferred: node is in the linked list
node = node.next
Step 3: Generate Loop Invariants

For each loop, generate an invariant that:

  1. Holds before the loop (initialization)
  2. Is preserved by the loop body (maintenance)
  3. Combined with loop exit, implies desired property (termination)

Template-Based Generation:

Counter Loop:

python
i = 0
while i < n:
arr[i] = 0
i += 1

Generated Invariant:

invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ n
invariant ∀k. 0 ≤ k < i ⟹ arr[k] = 0

Accumulator Loop:

python
sum = 0
i = 0
while i < len(arr):
sum += arr[i]
i += 1

Generated Invariant:

invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ len(arr)
invariant sum = Σ(arr[0..i-1])

Search Loop:

python
i = 0
found = False
while i < len(arr) and not found:
if arr[i] == target:
found = True
else:
i += 1

Generated Invariant:

invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ len(arr)
invariant ∀k. 0 ≤ k < i ⟹ arr[k] ≠ target
invariant found ⟹ arr[i] = target
Step 4: Generate Function Preconditions

Infer what must be true for the function to work correctly:

Array Access Function:

python
def get_element(arr, index):
return arr[index]

Generated Precondition:

requires 0 ≤ index < len(arr)
requires arr is not None

Division Function:

python
def divide(x, y):
return x / y

Generated Precondition:

requires y ≠ 0

Linked List Function:

python
def get_next(node):
return node.next

Generated Precondition:

requires node is not None
Step 5: Generate Function Postconditions

Infer what the function guarantees on exit:

Maximum Function:

python
def find_max(arr):
max_val = arr[0]
for i in range(1, len(arr)):
if arr[i] > max_val:
max_val = arr[i]
return max_val

Generated Postcondition:

ensures result ∈ arr
ensures ∀x ∈ arr. x ≤ result

Sorting Function:

python
def sort(arr):
# ... sorting logic ...
return sorted_arr

Generated Postcondition:

ensures len(result) = len(arr)
ensures ∀i. 0 ≤ i < len(result)-1 ⟹ result[i] ≤ result[i+1]
ensures multiset(result) = multiset(arr)

Search Function:

python
def binary_search(arr, target):
# ... search logic ...
return index

Generated Postcondition:

ensures result = -1 ∨ (0 ≤ result < len(arr) ∧ arr[result] = target)
ensures result ≠ -1 ⟹ arr[result] = target
ensures result = -1 ⟹ target ∉ arr
Step 6: Express in Target Language

Format invariants for the target verification system:

Dafny:

dafny
method FindMax(arr: array<int>) returns (max: int)
requires arr.Length > 0
ensures max in arr[..]
ensures forall i :: 0 <= i < arr.Length ==> arr[i] <= max
{
max := arr[0];
var i := 1;
while i < arr.Length
invariant 1 <= i <= arr.Length
invariant max in arr[..i]
invariant forall k :: 0 <= k < i ==> arr[k] <= max
{
if arr[i] > max {
max := arr[i];
}
i := i + 1;
}
}

Isabelle/HOL:

isabelle
lemma find_max_correct:
assumes "length arr > 0"
shows "find_max arr ∈ set arr ∧
(∀x ∈ set arr. x ≤ find_max arr)"

Coq:

coq
Lemma find_max_correct : forall (arr : list nat),
length arr > 0 ->
In (find_max arr) arr /\
(forall x, In x arr -> x <= find_max arr).

ACSL (for C):

c
/*@ requires n > 0;
@ requires \valid(arr + (0..n-1));
@ ensures \result >= 0 && \result < n;
@ ensures \forall integer k; 0 <= k < n ==> arr[k] <= arr[\result];
@*/
int find_max(int arr[], int n) {
int max_idx = 0;
/*@ loop invariant 1 <= i <= n;
@ loop invariant 0 <= max_idx < i;
@ loop invariant \forall integer k; 0 <= k < i ==> arr[k] <= arr[max_idx];
@ loop variant n - i;
@*/
for (int i = 1; i < n; i++) {
if (arr[i] > arr[max_idx]) {
max_idx = i;
}
}
return max_idx;
}

Complete Example

Input Code (Python):

python
def insertion_sort(arr):
for i in range(1, len(arr)):
key = arr[i]
j = i - 1
while j >= 0 and arr[j] > key:
arr[j + 1] = arr[j]
j -= 1
arr[j + 1] = key

Analysis:

Outer Loop (for i in range(1, len(arr))):

  • i ranges from 1 to len(arr)
  • After each iteration, arr[0..i] is sorted
  • Elements are permutation of original

Inner Loop (while j >= 0 and arr[j] > key):

  • j decreases from i-1 to -1
  • Shifts elements greater than key to the right
  • Maintains: arr[j+2..i+1] contains elements > key

Generated Invariants (Dafny):

dafny
method InsertionSort(arr: array<int>)
requires arr.Length >= 0
ensures sorted(arr[..])
ensures multiset(arr[..]) == multiset(old(arr[..]))
modifies arr
{
var i := 1;
while i < arr.Length
invariant 1 <= i <= arr.Length
invariant sorted(arr[..i])
invariant multiset(arr[..]) == multiset(old(arr[..]))
{
var key := arr[i];
var j := i - 1;
while j >= 0 && arr[j] > key
invariant -1 <= j < i
invariant sorted(arr[..j+1])
invariant sorted(arr[j+2..i+1])
invariant forall k :: j+2 <= k <= i ==> arr[k] > key
invariant multiset(arr[..]) == multiset(old(arr[..]))
{
arr[j + 1] := arr[j];
j := j - 1;
}
arr[j + 1] := key;
i := i + 1;
}
}
predicate sorted(s: seq<int>) {
forall i, j :: 0 <= i < j < |s| ==> s[i] <= s[j]
}

Explanation:

Outer Loop Invariants:

  1. 1 <= i <= arr.Length: Loop counter bounds
  2. sorted(arr[..i]): First i elements are sorted
  3. multiset(arr[..]) == multiset(old(arr[..])): Permutation preservation

Inner Loop Invariants:

  1. -1 <= j < i: Loop counter bounds
  2. sorted(arr[..j+1]): Elements before j+1 remain sorted
  3. sorted(arr[j+2..i+1]): Shifted elements remain sorted
  4. forall k :: j+2 <= k <= i ==> arr[k] > key: Shifted elements are greater than key
  5. multiset(arr[..]) == multiset(old(arr[..])): Permutation preservation

Invariant Patterns

Numeric Bounds
invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ n
invariant low ≤ mid ≤ high
Array Properties
invariant ∀k. 0 ≤ k < i ⟹ P(arr[k])
invariant sorted(arr[0..i])
invariant arr[i] = max(arr[0..i])
Relationships
invariant i + j = n
invariant i = 2 * j
invariant sum = Σ(arr[0..i-1])
Data Structure Properties
invariant acyclic(list)
invariant node ∈ reachable(head)
invariant size(tree) = n
Permutation
invariant multiset(arr) = multiset(old(arr))
invariant set(arr) = set(old(arr))

Strengthening Weak Invariants

Sometimes initial invariants are too weak. Strengthen them:

Weak:

invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ n

Strengthened:

invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ n
invariant ∀k. 0 ≤ k < i ⟹ processed(arr[k])

Technique: Add properties about what has been accomplished so far.

Handling Complex Loops

Nested Loops

Generate invariants for each level:

python
for i in range(n):
for j in range(m):
matrix[i][j] = 0

Invariants:

Outer loop:
invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ n
invariant ∀r. 0 ≤ r < i ⟹ (∀c. 0 ≤ c < m ⟹ matrix[r][c] = 0)
Inner loop:
invariant 0 ≤ j ≤ m
invariant ∀c. 0 ≤ c < j ⟹ matrix[i][c] = 0
Multiple Exit Conditions

Handle all exit paths:

python
while i < n and not found:
if arr[i] == target:
found = True
i += 1

Invariants:

invariant 0 ≤ i ≤ n
invariant found ⟹ arr[i-1] = target
invariant ¬found ⟹ (∀k. 0 ≤ k < i ⟹ arr[k] ≠ target)

References

For detailed invariant generation techniques and patterns:

  • references/loop_invariants.md: Loop invariant patterns and generation strategies
  • references/function_contracts.md: Precondition and postcondition inference
  • references/invariant_templates.md: Common invariant templates by algorithm type
  • references/verification_languages.md: Syntax for different verification systems

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Source

Popularity

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63
Repository forks
5
7-day trend score
21

Stars and forks are for the whole GitHub repository, not this skill alone. Refreshed 20 Mar 2026, 7 months ago.

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