WPgenWeakest Precondition Generator

Set Implicit Arguments.
From SLF Require Import WPsem.

Implicit Types f : var.
Implicit Types b : bool.
Implicit Types v : val.
Implicit Types h : heap.
Implicit Types P : Prop.
Implicit Types H : hprop.
Implicit Types Q : valhprop.

First Pass

In the previous chapter, we have introduced a predicate called wp to describe the weakest precondition of a term t with respect to a given postcondition Q. The weakest precondition wp is defined by the equivalence: H ==> wp t Q if and only if triple t H Q.
With respect to this "characterization of the semantics of wp", we could prove "wp-style" reasoning rules. For example, the lemma wp_seq asserts: wp t1 (fun r wp t2 Q) ==> wp (trm_seq t1 t2) Q.
In this chapter, we introduce a function, called wpgen, to "effectively compute" the weakest precondition of a term. The value of wpgen t is defined recursively over the structure of the term t, and ultimately produces a formula that is logically equivalent to wp t.
The major difference between wp and wpgen is that, whereas wp t is a predicate that we can reason about by "applying" reasoning rules, wpgen t is a predicate that we can reason about simply by "unfolding" its definition. Moreover, wp and wpgen differs on the way they handle variable substitution. Consider, e.g., a let-binding. The wp-style reasoning rule for a let-binding introduces a substitution of the form wp (subst x v t2), which the user must simplify explicitly. On the contrary, when working with wpgen, all the substitutions get automatically simplified during the initial evaluation of wpgen on the source program; the end-user sees none of these substitutions.
At a high level, the introduction of wpgen is a key ingredient to smoothening the user-experience of conducting interactive proofs in Separation Logic. The matter of the present chapter is to show:
  • how to define wpgen t as a recursive function that computes in Coq,
  • how to integrate support for the frame rule in this recursive definition,
  • how to carry out practical proofs using wpgen.
A bonus section explains how to establish the soundness theorem for wpgen.
The "first pass" section that comes next is fairly short. It only gives a bird-eye tour of the steps of the construction. Detailed explanations are provided in the main body of the chapter.
As first approximation, wpgen t Q is defined as a recursive function that pattern matches on its argument t, and produces the appropriate heap predicate in each case. The definitions somewhat mimic those of wp. For example, where the rule wp_let asserts the entailment, wp t1 (fun v wp (subst x v t2) Q) ==> wp (trm_let x t1 t2) Q, the definition of wpgen is such that wpgen (trm_let x t1 t2) Q is, by definition, equal to wpgen t1 (fun v wpgen (subst x v t2) Q). One special case is that of applications. We define wpgen (trm_app v1 v2) as wp (trm_app v1 v2), that is, we fall back onto the semantical definition of weakest precondition.
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      | trm_val vQ v
      | trm_var x\[False]
      | trm_app v1 v2wp t Q
      | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen t1 (fun vwpgen (subst x v t2) Q)
      ...
      end.
From there, to obtain the actual definition of wpgen, we need to refine the above definition in four steps.
In a first step, we modify the definition in order to make it structurally recursive. Indeed, in the above the recursive call wpgen (subst x v t2) is not made to a strict subterm of trm_let x t1 t2, thus Coq refuse this definition as it stands.
To fix the issue, we change the definition to the form wpgen E t Q, where E denotes an association list bindings values to variables. The intention is that wpgen E t Q computes the weakest precondition for the term obtained by substituting all the bindings from E in t. (This term is described by the operation isubst E t in the chapter.)
The updated definition looks as follows. Observe how, when traversing trm_let x t1 t2, the context E gets extended as (x,v)::E. Observe also how, when reaching a variable x, a lookup for x into the context E is performed for recovering the value that, morally, should have been substituted for x.
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      | trm_val vQ v
      | trm_var x
           match lookup x E with
           | Some vQ v
           | None\[False]
           end
      | trm_app v1 v2wp (isubst E t) Q
      | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen E t1 (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2 Q)
      ...
      end.
In a second step, we slightly tweak the definition so as to swap the place where Q is taken as argument with the place where the pattern matching on t occurs. The idea is to make it obvious that wpgen E t can be computed without any knowledge of Q.
The type of wpgen E t is (valhprop)->hprop, a type which we thereafter call formula.
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
      match t with
      | trm_val vfun (Q:valhprop) ⇒ Q v
      | trm_var xfun (Q:valhprop) ⇒
           match lookup x E with
           | Some vQ v
           | None\[False]
           end
      | trm_app v1 v2fun (Q:valhprop) ⇒ wp (isubst E t) Q
      | trm_let x t1 t2fun (Q:valhprop) ⇒
                              wpgen E t1 (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2 Q)
      ...
      end.
In a third step, we introduce auxiliary definitions to improve the readability of the output of calls to wpgen. For example, we let wpgen_val v be a shorthand for fun (Q:valhprop) Q v. Likewise, we let wpgen_let F1 F2 be a shorthand for fun (Q:valhprop) F1 (fun v F2 Q). Using these auxiliary definitions, the definition of wpgen rewrites as follows.
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
      match t with
      | trm_val vwpgen_val v
      | trm_var xwpgen_var E x
      | trm_app t1 t2wp (isubst E t)
      | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen_let (wpgen E t1) (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2)
      ...
      end.
Each of the auxiliary definitions introduced comes with a custom notation that enables a nice display of the output of wpgen. For example, we set up the notation Let' v := F1 in F2 to stand for wpgen_let F1 (fun v F2). Thanks to this notation, the result of computing wpgen on a source term Let x := t1 in t2 (which is an Coq expression of type trm) will be a formula displayed in the form Let' x := F1 in F2 (which is an Coq expression of type formula).
Thanks to these auxiliary definitions and pieces of notation, the formula that wpgen produces as output reads pretty much like the source term provided as input.
In a fourth step, we refine the definition of wpgen in order to equip it with inherent support for applications of the structural rules of the logic, namely the frame rule and the rule of consequence. To achieve this, we consider a well-crafted predicate called mkstruct, and insert it at the head of the output of every call to wpgen, including all its recursive calls. The definition of wpgen thus now admits the following structure.
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
      mkstruct (match t with
                | trm_val v ⇒ ...
                | ...
                end).
Without entering the details, the predicate mkstruct is a function of type formulaformula that captures the essence of the wp-style consequence-frame structural rule. This rule, called wp_conseq_frame in the previous chapter, asserts: Q1 \*+ H ===> Q2 (wp t Q1) \* H ==> (wp t Q2).
This concludes our little journey towards the definition of wpgen.
For conducting proofs in practice, there remains to state lemmas and define tactics to assist the user in the manipulation of the formula produced by wpgen. Ultimately, the end-user only manipulates CFML's "x-tactics" (recall the first two chapters), without ever being required to understand how wpgen is defined.
In other words, the contents of this chapter reveals the details that we work very hard to make completely invisible to the end user.

More Details

Definition of wpgen for Term Rules

wpgen computes a heap predicate that has the same meaning as wp. In essence, wpgen takes the form of a recursive function that, like wp, expects a term t and a postcondition Q, and produces a heap predicate. The function is recursively defined and its result is guided by the structure of the term t.
In essence, the definition of wpgen admits the following shape:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      | trm_val v ⇒ ..
      | trm_seq t1 t2 ⇒ ..
      | trm_let x t1 t2 ⇒ ..
      | trm_var x ⇒ ..
      | trm_app t1 t2 ⇒ ..
      | trm_fun x t1 ⇒ ..
      | trm_fix f x t1 ⇒ ..
      | trm_if v0 t1 t2 ⇒ ..
      end).
Our first goal is to figure out how to fill in the dots for each of the term constructors.
The intention that guides us for filling the dot is the soundness theorem for wpgen, which takes the following form:
      wpgen t Q ==> wp t Q This entailment asserts in particular that, if we are able to establish a statement of the form H ==> wpgen t Q, then we can derive from it H ==> wp t Q. The latter is also equivalent to triple t H Q. Thus, wpgen can be viewed as a practical tool to establish triples.
Remark: the main difference between wpgen and a "traditional" weakest precondition generator (as the reader might have seen for Hoare logic) is that here we compute the weakest precondition of a raw term, that is, a term not annotated with any invariant or specification.

Definition of wpgen for Values

Consider first the case of a value v. Recall the reasoning rule for values in weakest-precondition style.
Parameter wp_val : v Q,
  Q v ==> wp (trm_val v) Q.
The soundness theorem for wpgen requires the entailment wpgen (trm_val v) Q ==> wp (trm_val v) Q to hold.
To satisfy this entailment, according to the rule wp_val, it suffices to define wpgen (trm_val v) Q as Q v.
Concretely, we fill in the first dots as follows:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      | trm_val vQ v
      ...

Definition of wpgen for Functions

Consider the case of a function definition trm_fun x t. Recall that the wp reasoning rule for functions is very similar to that for values.
Parameter wp_fun : x t1 Q,
  Q (val_fun x t1) ==> wp (trm_fun x t1) Q.
So, likewise, we can define wpgen for functions and for recursive functions as follows:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_fun x t1Q (val_fun x t1)
      | trm_fix f x t1Q (val_fix f x t1)
      ...
An important observation is that we here do not attempt to recursively compute wpgen over the body of the function. This is something that we could do, and that we will see how to achieve further on, yet we postpone it for now because it is relatively technical. In practice, if the program features a local function definition, the user may explicitly request the computation of wpgen over the body of that function. Thus, the fact that we do not recursively traverse functions bodies does not harm expressiveness.

Definition of wpgen for Sequence

Recall the wp reasoning rule for a sequence trm_seq t1 t2.
Parameter wp_seq : t1 t2 Q,
  wp t1 (fun vwp t2 Q) ==> wp (trm_seq t1 t2) Q.
The intention is for wpgen to admit the same semantics as wp. We thus expect the definition of wpgen (trm_seq t1 t2) Q to have a similar shape as wp t1 (fun v wp t2 Q).
We therefore define wpgen (trm_seq t1 t2) Q as wpgen t1 (fun v wpgen t2 Q). The definition of wpgen thus gets refined as follows:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_seq t1 t2wpgen t1 (fun vwpgen t2 Q)
      ...

Definition of wpgen for Let-Bindings

The case of let bindings is similar to that of sequences, except that it involves a substitution. Recall the wp rule:
Parameter wp_let : x t1 t2 Q,
  wp t1 (fun vwp (subst x v t2) Q) ==> wp (trm_let x t1 t2) Q.
We fill in the dots as follows:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen t1 (fun vwpgen (subst x v t2) Q)
      ...
One important observation to make at this point is that the function wpgen is no longer structurally recursive. Indeed, while the first recursive call to wpgen is invoked on t1, which is a strict subterm of t, the second call is invoked on subst x v t2, which is not a strict subterm of t.
It is technically possible to convince Coq that the function wpgen terminates, yet with great effort. Alternatively, we can circumvent the problem altogether by casting the function in a form that makes it structurally recursive. Concretely, we will see further on how to add as argument to wpgen a substitution context (written E) to delay the computation of substitutions until the leaves of the recursion.

Definition of wpgen for Variables

We have seen no reasoning rules for establishing a triple for a program variable, that is, to prove triple (trm_var x) H Q. Indeed, trm_var x is a stuck term: its execution does not produce an output.
While a source term may contain program variables, all these variables should get substituted away before the execution reaches them.
In the case of the function wpgen, a variable bound by let-binding get substituted while traversing that let-binding construct. Thus, if a free variable is reached by wpgen, it means that this variable was originally a dangling free variable, and therefore that the initial source term was invalid.
Although we have presented no reasoning rules for triple (trm_var x) H Q nor for H ==> wp (trm_var x) Q, we nevertheless have to provide some meaningful definition for wpgen (trm_var x) Q. This definition should capture the fact that this case must not happen. The heap predicate \[False] captures this intention perfectly well.
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_var x\[False]
      ...
Remark: the definition of \False translates the fact that, technically, we could have stated a Separation Logic rule for free variables, using False as a premise \[False] as precondition. There are three canonical ways of presenting this rule, they are shown next.
Lemma wp_var : x Q,
  \[False] ==> wp (trm_var x) Q.
Proof using. intros. intros h Hh. destruct (hpure_inv Hh). false. Qed.

Lemma triple_var : x H Q,
  False
  triple (trm_var x) H Q.
Proof using. intros. false. Qed.

Lemma triple_var' : x Q,
  triple (trm_var x) \[False] Q.
Proof using. intros. rewrite <- wp_equiv. applys wp_var. Qed.
All these rules are correct, albeit totally useless.

Definition of wpgen for Function Applications

Consider an application in A-normal form, that is, an application of the form trm_app v1 v2.
We have seen wp-style rules to reason about the application of a known function, e.g. trm_app (val_fun x t1) v2. However, if v1 is an abstrat value (e.g., a Coq variable of type val), we have no reasoning rule at hand that applies.
Thus, we will simply define wpgen (trm_app v1 v2) Q as wp (trm_app v1 v2) Q. In other words, to define wpgen for a function application, we fall back to the semantic definition of wp. We thus extend the definition of wpgen as follows.
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_app v1 v2wp (trm_app v1 v2) Q
      ...
As we carry out verification proofs in practice, when reaching an application we will face a goal of the form:
    H ==> wpgen (trm_app v1 v2) Q By revealing the definition of wpgen on applications, we get:
    H ==> wp (trm_app v1 v2) Q Then, by exploiting the equivalence with triples, we obtain:
    triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q Such a proof obligation can be discharged by invoking a specification triple for the function v1.
In other words, by falling back to the semantics definition when reaching a function application, we allow the user to choose which specification lemma to exploit for reasoning about this particular function application.
Remark: we assume throughout the course that terms are written in A-normal form. Nevertheless, we need to define wpgen even on terms that are not in A-normal form. One possibility is to map all these terms to \[False]. In the specific case of an application of the form trm_app t1 t2 where t1 and t2 are not both values, it is still correct to define wpgen (trm_app t1 t2)) as wp (trm_app t1 t2). So, we need not bother checking in the definition of wpgen that the arguments of trm_app are actually values.
Thus, the most concise definition for wpgen on applications is:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_app t1 t2wp t Q
      ...

Definition of wpgen for Conditionals

The last remaining case is that for conditionals. Recall the wp-style reasoning rule stated using a Coq conditional.
Parameter wp_if : (b:bool) t1 t2 Q,
  (if b then (wp t1 Q) else (wp t2 Q)) ==> wp (trm_if (val_bool b) t1 t2) Q.
We need to define wpgen for all conditionals in A-normal form, i.e., all terms of the form trm_if (trm_val v0) t1 t2, where v0 could be a value of unknown shape. Typically, a program may feature a conditional trm_if (trm_var x) t1 t2 that, after substitution for x, becomes trm_if (trm_val v) t1 t2, for some abstract v of type val that we might not yet know to be a boolean value.
Yet, the rule wp_if only applies when the first argument of trm_if is syntactically a boolean value b. To handle this mismatch, we set up wpgen to pattern-match a conditional as trm_if t0 t1 t2, and then express using a Separation Logic existential quantifier that there should exist a boolean b such that t0 = trm_val (val_bool b).
This way, we delay the moment at which the argument of the conditional needs to be shown to be a boolean value. The formal definition is:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_if t0 t1 t2
          \ (b:bool), \[t0 = trm_val (val_bool b)]
            \* (if b then (wpgen t1) Q else (wpgen t2) Q)
      ...

Summary of the Definition of wpgen for Term Rules

In summary, we have defined:
    Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
      match t with
      | trm_val vQ v
      | trm_fun x t1Q (val_fun x t)
      | trm_fix f x t1Q (val_fix f x t)
      | trm_seq t1 t2wpgen t1 (fun vwpgen t2 Q)
      | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen t1 (fun vwpgen (subst x v t2) Q)
      | trm_var x\[False]
      | trm_app v1 v2wp t Q
      | trm_if t0 t1 t2
          \ (b:bool), \[t0 = trm_val (val_bool b)]
            \* (if b then (wpgen t1) Q else (wpgen t2) Q)
      end.
As pointed out earlier, this definition is not structurally recursive and thus not accepted by Coq, due to the recursive call wpgen (subst x v t2) Q. Our next step is to fix this issue.

Computing with wpgen

wpgen is not structurally recursive because of the substitutions that takes places in-between recursive calls. To fix this, we are going to delay the substitutions until the leaves of the recursion.
To that end, we introduce a substitution context, written E, to record the substitutions that should have been performed.
Concretely, we modify the function to take the form wpgen E t, where E denotes a set of bindings from variables to values. The intention is that wpgen E t computes the weakest precondition for the term isubst E t, which denotes the result of substituting all bindings from E inside the term t.

Definition of Contexts and Operations on Them

The simplest way to define a context E is as an association list relating variables to values.
Definition ctx : Type := list (var*val).
Before we explain how to revisit the definition of wpgen using contexts, we need to define the "iterated substitution" operation. This operation, written isubst E t, describes the substitution of all the bindings form E inside a term t.
The definition of iterated substitution is relatively standard: we traverse the term recursively and, when reaching a variable, we perform a lookup in the context E. We need to take care to respect variable shadowing. To that end, when traversing a binder that binds a variable x, we remove all occurrences of x that might exist in E.
The formal definition of isubst involves two auxiliary functions: lookup and removal on association lists.
The definition of the operation lookup x E on association lists is standard. It returns an option on a value.
Fixpoint lookup (x:var) (E:ctx) : option val :=
  match E with
  | nilNone
  | (y,v)::E1if var_eq x y
                   then Some v
                   else lookup x E1
  end.
The definition of the removal operation, written rem x E, is also standard. It returns a filtered context.
Fixpoint rem (x:var) (E:ctx) : ctx :=
  match E with
  | nilnil
  | (y,v)::E1
      let E1' := rem x E1 in
      if var_eq x y then E1' else (y,v)::E1'
  end.
The definition of the operation isubst E t can then be expressed as a recursive function over the term t. It invokes lookup x E when reaching a variable x. It invokes rem x E when traversing a binding on the name x.
Fixpoint isubst (E:ctx) (t:trm) : trm :=
  match t with
  | trm_val v
       v
  | trm_var x
       match lookup x E with
       | Nonet
       | Some vv
       end
  | trm_fun x t1
       trm_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1)
  | trm_fix f x t1
       trm_fix f x (isubst (rem x (rem f E)) t1)
  | trm_app t1 t2
       trm_app (isubst E t1) (isubst E t2)
  | trm_seq t1 t2
       trm_seq (isubst E t1) (isubst E t2)
  | trm_let x t1 t2
       trm_let x (isubst E t1) (isubst (rem x E) t2)
  | trm_if t0 t1 t2
       trm_if (isubst E t0) (isubst E t1) (isubst E t2)
  end.
Remark: it is also possible to define the substitution by iterating the unary substitution subst over the list of bindings from E. However, this alternative approach yields a less efficient function and leads to more complicated proofs.
In what follows, we present the definition of wpgen E t case by case. Throughout these definitions, recall that wpgen E t is interpreted as the weakest precondition of isubst E t.

wpgen: the Let-Binding Case

When wpgen traverses a let-binding, rather than eagerly performing a substitution, it simply extends the current context.
Concretely, a call to wpgen E (trm_let x t1 t2) triggers a recursive call to wpgen ((x,v)::E) t2. The corresponding definition is:
  Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
    mkstruct (match t with
      ...
      | trm_let x t1 t2fun Q
           (wpgen E t1) (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2)
      ...
      ) end.

wpgen: the Variable Case

When wpgen reaches a variable, it lookups for a binding on the variable x inside the context E. Concretely, the evaluation of wpgen E (trm_var x) triggers a call to lookup x E.
If the context E binds the variable x to some value v, then the operation lookup x E returns Some v. In that case, wpgen returns the weakest precondition for that value v, that is, Q v.
Otherwise, if E does not bind x, the lookup operation returns None. In that case, wpgen returns \[False], which we have explained to be the weakest precondition for a stuck program.
  Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
    mkstruct (match t with
      ...
      | trm_var xfun Q
           match lookup x E with
           | Some vQ v
           | None\[False]
           end
      ...
      ) end.

wpgen: the Application Case

In the previous definition of wpgen (the one without contexts), we argued that, in the case where t denotes an application, the result of wpgen t Q should be simply wp t Q.
In the definition of wpgen with contexts, the interpretation of wpgen E t is the weakest precondition of the term isubst E t (which denotes the result of substituting variables from E in t).
When t is an application, we thus define wpgen E t as the formula fun Q wp (isubst E t) Q, which simplifies to wp (isubst E t) after eliminating the eta-expansion.
  Fixpoint wpgen (t:trm) : formula :=
    mkstruct (match t with
      ...
      | trm_app v1 v2wp (isubst E t)
      ..

wpgen: the Function Definition Case

Consider the case where t is a function definition, for example trm_fun x t1. Here again, the formula wpgen E t is interpreted as the weakest precondition of isubst E t.
By unfolding the definition of isubst in the case where t is trm_fun x t1, we obtain trm_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1).
The corresponding value is trm_val x (isubst (rem x E) t1). The weakest precondition for that value is fun Q Q (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1)).
Thus, wpgen E t handles functions, and recursive functions, as follows:
  Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
    mkstruct (match t with
      ...
      | trm_fun x t1fun QQ (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1))
      | trm_fix f x t1fun QQ (val_fix f x (isubst (rem x (rem f E)) t1))
      ...
      ) end.

wpgen: at Last, an Executable Function

Module WpgenExec1.
At last, we arrive to a definition of wpgen that type-checks in Coq, and that can be used to effectively compute weakest preconditions in Separation Logic.
Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
  match t with
  | trm_val vQ v
  | trm_fun x t1Q (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1))
  | trm_fix f x t1Q (val_fix f x (isubst (rem x (rem f E)) t1))
  | trm_seq t1 t2wpgen E t1 (fun vwpgen E t2 Q)
  | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen E t1 (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2 Q)
  | trm_var x
       match lookup x E with
       | Some vQ v
       | None\[False]
       end
  | trm_app v1 v2wp (isubst E t) Q
  | trm_if t0 t1 t2
      \ (b:bool), \[t0 = trm_val (val_bool b)]
        \* (if b then (wpgen E t1) Q else (wpgen E t2) Q)
  end.
Compared with the presentation using the form wpgen t, the new presentation using the form wpgen E t has the main benefits that it is structurally recursive, thus easy to define in Coq. Moreover, it is algorithmically more efficient in general, because it performs substitutions lazily rather than eagerly.
Let us state the soundness theorem and its corollary for establishing triples for functions.
Parameter wpgen_sound : E t Q,
   wpgen E t Q ==> wp (isubst E t) Q.
The entailment above asserts in particular that if we can derive triple t H Q by proving H ==> wpgen t Q.
A useful corrolary combines the soundness theorem with the rule triple_app_fun, which allows establishing triples for functions. Recall the rule triple_app_fun from Rules.
Parameter triple_app_fun : x v1 v2 t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fun x t1
  triple (subst x v2 t1) H Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.
Reformulating the rule above into a rule for wpgen takes 3 steps.
First, we rewrite the premise triple (subst x v2 t1) H Q using wp. It becomes H ==> wp (subst x v2 t1) Q.
Second, we observe that the term subst x v2 t1 is equal to isubst ((x,v2)::nil) t1. (This equality is captured by the lemma subst_eq_isubst_one proved in the bonus section of the chapter.) Thus, the heap predicate wp (subst x v2 t1) Q is equivalent to wp (isubst ((x,v2)::nil) t1).
Third, according to wpgen_sound, the predicate wp (isubst ((x,v2)::nil) t1) is entailed by wpgen ((x,v2)::nil) t1. Thus, we can use the latter as premise in place of the former. We thereby obtain the following lemma.
Parameter triple_app_fun_from_wpgen : v1 v2 x t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fun x t1
  H ==> wpgen ((x,v2)::nil) t1 Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.

Executing wpgen on a Concrete Program

Import ExamplePrograms.
Let us exploit triple_app_fun_from_wpgen to demonstrate the computation of wpgen on a practical program.
Recall the function incr (defined in Rules), and its specification, whose statement appears below.
Lemma triple_incr : (p:loc) (n:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n)
    (fun _p ~~> (n+1)).
Proof using.
  intros. applys triple_app_fun_from_wpgen. { reflexivity. }
  simpl. (* Read the goal here... *)
Abort.
The goal takes the form H ==> wpgen body Q, where H denotes the precondition, Q the postcondition, and body the body of the function incr.
Observe the invocations of wp on the application of primitive operations.
Observe that the goal is nevertheless somewhat hard to relate to the original program.
In what follows, we explain how to remedy the situation, and set up wpgen is such a way that its output is human-readable, moreover resembles the original source code.
End WpgenExec1.

Optimizing the Readability of wpgen Output

To improve the readability of the formulae produced by wpgen, we take the following 3 steps:
  • first, we modify the presentation of wpgen so that the fun (Q:valhprop) appears insides the branches of the match t with rather than around it,
  • second, we introduce one auxiliary definition for each branch of the match t with,
  • third, we introduce one piece of notation for each of these auxiliary definitions.

Reability Step 1: Moving the Function below the Branches.

We distribute the fun Q into the branches of the match t. Concretely, we change from:
 Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) (Q:valhprop) : hprop :=
   match t with
   | trm_val vQ v
   | trm_fun x t1Q (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1))
   ...
   end.
to the equivalent form:
 Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : (valhprop)->hprop :=
   match t with
   | trm_val vfun (Q:valhprop) ⇒ Q v
   | trm_fun x t1fun (Q:valhprop) ⇒ Q (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1))
   ...
   end.
The result type of wpgen E t is (valhprop)->hprop. Thereafter, we let formula be a shorthand for this type.
Definition formula : Type := (valhprop)->hprop.

Readability Steps 2 and 3, Illustrated on the Case of Sequences

We introduce auxiliary definitions to denote the result of each of the branches of the match t construct. Concretely, we change from:
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_seq t1 t2fun Q ⇒ (wpgen E t1) (fun vwpgen E t2 Q)
      ...
      end.
to the equivalent form:
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
      match t with
      ...
      | trm_seq t1 t2wpgen_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2)
      ...
     end.
where wpgen_seq is defined as shown below.
Definition wpgen_seq (F1 F2:formula) : formula := fun Q
  F1 (fun vF2 Q).
Remark: above, F1 and F2 denote the results of the recursive calls, wpgen E t1 and wpgen E t2, respectively.
With the above definitions, wgpen E (trm_seq t1 t2) evaluates to wp_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2).
Finally, we introduce a piece of notation for each case. In the case of the sequence, we set up the notation defined next to so that any formula of the form wpgen_seq F1 F2 gets displayed as Seq F1 ; F2 .
Notation "'Seq' F1 ; F2" :=
  ((wpgen_seq F1 F2))
  (at level 68, right associativity,
   format "'[v' 'Seq' '[' F1 ']' ';' '/' '[' F2 ']' ']'").
Thanks to this notation, the wpgen of a sequence t1 ; t2 displays as Seq F1 ; F2 where F1 and F2 denote the wpgen of t1 and t2, respectively.

Readability Step 2: Auxiliary Definitions for other Constructs

We generalize the approach illustrated for sequences to every other term construct. The corresponding definitions are stated below. It is not required to understand the details in this subsection.
Definition wpgen_val (v:val) : formula := fun Q
  Q v.

Definition wpgen_let (F1:formula) (F2of:valformula) : formula := fun Q
  F1 (fun vF2of v Q).

Definition wpgen_if (t:trm) (F1 F2:formula) : formula := fun Q
  \ (b:bool), \[t = trm_val (val_bool b)] \* (if b then F1 Q else F2 Q).

Definition wpgen_fail : formula := fun Q
  \[False].

Definition wpgen_var (E:ctx) (x:var) : formula :=
  match lookup x E with
  | Nonewpgen_fail
  | Some vwpgen_val v
  end.
The new definition of wpgen reads as follows.
Module WpgenExec2.

Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
  match t with
  | trm_val vwpgen_val v
  | trm_var xwpgen_var E x
  | trm_fun x t1wpgen_val (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1))
  | trm_fix f x t1wpgen_val (val_fix f x (isubst (rem x (rem f E)) t1))
  | trm_app t1 t2wp (isubst E t)
  | trm_seq t1 t2wpgen_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2)
  | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen_let (wpgen E t1) (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2)
  | trm_if t0 t1 t2wpgen_if (isubst E t0) (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2)
  end.
This definition is, up to unfolding of the new intermediate definitions, totally equivalent to the previous one. We will prove the soundness result and its corollary further on.
Parameter wpgen_sound : E t Q,
   wpgen E t Q ==> wp (isubst E t) Q.

Parameter triple_app_fun_from_wpgen : v1 v2 x t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fun x t1
  H ==> wpgen ((x,v2)::nil) t1 Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.

End WpgenExec2.

Readability Step 3: Notation for Auxiliary Definitions

We generalize the notation introduced for sequences to every other term construct. The corresponding notation is defined below. It is not required to understand the details from this subsection.
To avoid conflicts with other existing notation, we write Let' and If' in place of Let and If.
Here again, it is not required to understand all the details.
Declare Scope wpgen_scope.

Notation "'Val' v" :=
  ((wpgen_val v))
  (at level 69) : wpgen_scope.

Notation "'Let'' x ':=' F1 'in' F2" :=
  ((wpgen_let F1 (fun xF2)))
  (at level 69, x name, right associativity,
  format "'[v' '[' 'Let'' x ':=' F1 'in' ']' '/' '[' F2 ']' ']'")
  : wpgen_scope.

Notation "'If'' b 'Then' F1 'Else' F2" :=
  ((wpgen_if b F1 F2))
  (at level 69) : wpgen_scope.

Notation "'Fail'" :=
  ((wpgen_fail))
  (at level 69) : wpgen_scope.
In addition, we introduce handy notation of the result of wpgen t where t denotes an application.
Notation "'App' f v1 " :=
  ((wp (trm_app f v1)))
  (at level 68, f, v1 at level 0) : wpgen_scope.

Test of wpgen with Notation.

Consider again the example of incr.
Module WPgenWithNotation.
Import ExamplePrograms WpgenExec2.
Open Scope wpgen_scope.

Lemma triple_incr : (p:loc) (n:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n)
    (fun _p ~~> (n+1)).
Proof using.
  intros. applys triple_app_fun_from_wpgen. { reflexivity. }
  simpl. (* Read the goal here... It is of the form H ==> F Q,
            where F vaguely looks like the code of the body of incr. *)

Abort.
Up to proper tabulation, alpha-renaming, and removal of parentheses (and dummy quotes after Let and If), the formula F reads as:
      Let n := App val_get p in
      Let m := App (val_add n) 1 in
      App (val_set p) m
With the introduction of intermediate definitions for wpgen and the introduction of associated notations for each term construct, what we achieved is that the output of wpgen is, for any input term t, a human readable formula whose display closely resembles the syntax source code of the term t.

Extension of wpgen to Handle Structural Rules

The definition of wpgen proposed so far integrates the logic of the reasoning rules for terms, however it lacks support for conveniently exploiting the structural rules of the logic.
We fix this next, by showing how to tweak the definition of wpgen in such a way that, by construction, it satisfies both:
  • the frame rule, which asserts (wpgen t Q) \* H ==> wpgen t (Q \*+ H),
  • and the rule of consequence, which asserts that Q1 ===> Q2 implies wpgen t Q1 ==> wpgen t Q2.

Introduction of mkstruct in the Definition of wpgen

Recall from the previous chapter the statement of the frame rule in wp-style.
Parameter wp_frame : t H Q,
  (wp t Q) \* H ==> wp t (Q \*+ H).
We would like wpgen to satisfy the same rule, so that we can exploit the frame rule while reasoning about a program using the heap predicate produced by wpgen.
With the definition of wpgen set up so far, it is possible to prove, for any concrete term t, that the frame property (wpgen t Q) \* H ==> wpgen t (Q \*+ H) holds. However, establishing this result requires an induction over the entire structure of the term t---a lot of tedious work.
Instead, we are going to tweak the definition of wpgen so as to produce, at every step of the recursion, a special token to capture the idea that whatever the details of the output predicate produced by wpgen, this predicate does satisfy the frame property.
We achieve this magic by introducing a predicate called mkstruct, and inserting it at the head of the output produced by wpgen (and all of its recursive invocation) as follows:
    Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : (valhprop)->hprop :=
      mkstruct (
        match t with
        | trm_val vwpgen_val v
        ...
        end).
The interest of the insertion of mkstruct above is that every result of a computation of wpgen t on a concrete term t is, by construction, of the form mkstruct F for some argument F.
There remains to investigate how mkstruct should be defined.

Properties of mkstruct

Module MkstructProp.
Let us state the properties that mkstruct should satisfy.
Because mkstruct appears between the prototype and the match in the body of wpgen, the predicate mkstruct must have type formulaformula.
There remains to find a suitable definition for mkstruct that enables the frame property and the consequence property. These properties can be stated by mimicking the rules wp_frame and wp_conseq.
Parameter mkstruct_frame : (F:formula) H Q,
  (mkstruct F Q) \* H ==> mkstruct F (Q \*+ H).

Parameter mkstruct_conseq : (F:formula) Q1 Q2,
  Q1 ===> Q2
  mkstruct F Q1 ==> mkstruct F Q2.
In addition, it should be possible to erase mkstruct from the head of the output produced wpgen t when we do not need to apply any structural rule. In other words, we need to be able to prove H ==> mkstruct F Q by proving H ==> F Q, for any H. This erasure property is captured by the following entailment.
Parameter mkstruct_erase : (F:formula) Q,
  F Q ==> mkstruct F Q.
Moreover, mkstruct should be monotone with respect to the formula: if F1 is stronger than F2, then mkstruct F1 should be stronger then mkstruct F2.
Parameter mkstruct_monotone : F1 F2 Q,
  ( Q, F1 Q ==> F2 Q)
  mkstruct F1 Q ==> mkstruct F2 Q.

End MkstructProp.

Realization of mkstruct

Fortunately, it turns out that there exists a predicate mkstruct satisfying the four required properties. To begin with, let us just pull out of our hat a definition of mkstruct that works.
Definition mkstruct (F:formula) : formula :=
  fun (Q:valhprop) ⇒ \ Q1 H, F Q1 \* H \* \[Q1 \*+ H ===> Q].
We postpone to a bonus section the discussion of why it works and of how one could have guessed this definition. Again, it really does not matter the details of the definition of mkstruct. All that matters is that mkstruct satisfies the three required properties: mkstruct_frame, mkstruct_conseq, and mkstruct_erase. Let us establish these properties for the definition considered. (Proof details can be skipped over.)
Lemma mkstruct_frame : F H Q,
  (mkstruct F Q) \* H ==> mkstruct F (Q \*+ H).
Proof using.
  intros. unfold mkstruct. xpull; intros Q' H' M. xsimpl. xchange M.
Qed.

Lemma mkstruct_conseq : F Q1 Q2,
  Q1 ===> Q2
  mkstruct F Q1 ==> mkstruct F Q2.
Proof using.
  introv WQ. unfold mkstruct. xpull; intros Q' H' M.
  xsimpl. xchange M. xchange WQ.
Qed.

Lemma mkstruct_erase : F Q,
  F Q ==> mkstruct F Q.
Proof using. intros. unfold mkstruct. xsimpl. xsimpl. Qed.

Lemma mkstruct_monotone : F1 F2 Q,
  ( Q, F1 Q ==> F2 Q)
  mkstruct F1 Q ==> mkstruct F2 Q.
Proof using.
  introv WF. unfolds mkstruct. xpull. intros Q' H M.
  xchange WF. xsimpl Q'. applys M.
Qed.
An interesting property of mkstruct is it has no effect on a formula of the form wp t. Intuitively, such a formula already satisfies all the structural reasoning rules, hence adding mkstruct to it does not increase its expressive power.
Lemma mkstruct_wp : t,
  mkstruct (wp t) = (wp t).
Proof using.
  intros. applys fun_ext_1. intros Q. applys himpl_antisym.
  { unfold mkstruct. xpull. intros H Q' M. applys wp_conseq_frame M. }
  { applys mkstruct_erase. }
Qed.
Another interesting property of mkstruct is its idempotence property, that is, it is such that mkstruct (mkstruct F) = mkstruct F.
Idempotence asserts that applying the predicate mkstruct more than once does not provide more expressiveness than applying it just once.
Intuitively, idempotence reflects in particular the fact that two nested applications of the rule of consequence can always be combined into a single application of that rule (due to the transitivity of entailment); and that, similarly, two nested applications of the frame rule can always be combined into a single application of that rule (framing on H1 then framing on H2 is equivalent to framing on H1 \* H2).

Exercise: 3 stars, standard, especially useful (mkstruct_idempotent)

Complete the proof of the idempotence of mkstruct. Hint: leverage xpull and xsimpl.
Lemma mkstruct_idempotent : F,
  mkstruct (mkstruct F) = mkstruct F.
Proof using.
  intros. apply fun_ext_1. intros Q. applys himpl_antisym.
  (* FILL IN HERE *) Admitted.

Definition of wpgen that Includes mkstruct

Our final definition of wpgen refines the previous one by inserting the mkstruct predicate to the front of the match t with construct.
Fixpoint wpgen (E:ctx) (t:trm) : formula :=
  mkstruct (match t with
  | trm_val vwpgen_val v
  | trm_var xwpgen_var E x
  | trm_fun x t1wpgen_val (val_fun x (isubst (rem x E) t1))
  | trm_fix f x t1wpgen_val (val_fix f x (isubst (rem x (rem f E)) t1))
  | trm_app t1 t2wp (isubst E t)
  | trm_seq t1 t2wpgen_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2)
  | trm_let x t1 t2wpgen_let (wpgen E t1) (fun vwpgen ((x,v)::E) t2)
  | trm_if t0 t1 t2wpgen_if (isubst E t0) (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2)
  end).
Again, we assert the soundness theorem and its corollary, and we postpone the proof.
Parameter wpgen_sound : E t Q,
   wpgen E t Q ==> wp (isubst E t) Q.

Parameter triple_app_fun_from_wpgen : v1 v2 x t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fun x t1
  H ==> wpgen ((x,v2)::nil) t1 Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.

Notation for mkstruct and Test

To avoid clutter in reading the output of wpgen, we introduce a lightweight shorthand to denote mkstruct F, allowing it to display simply as `F.
Notation "` F" := (mkstruct F) (at level 10, format "` F") : wpgen_scope.
Let us test again the readability of the output of wpgen on a concrete example.
Module WPgenWithMkstruct.
Import ExamplePrograms.
Open Scope wpgen_scope.

Lemma triple_incr : (p:loc) (n:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n)
    (fun _p ~~> (n+1)).
Proof using.
  intros. applys triple_app_fun_from_wpgen. { reflexivity. }
  simpl.
Abort.
Up to proper tabulation, alpha-renaming, and removal of parentheses (and dummy quotes after Let and If), F reads as:
    `Let n := `(App val_get p) in
    `Let m := `(App (val_add n) 1) in
    `App (val_set p) m

Lemmas for Handling wpgen Goals

The last major step of the setup of our Separation Logic based verification framework consists of lemmas and tactics to assist in the processing of formulas produced by wpgen. For each term construct, and for mkstruct, we introduce a dedicated lemma, called "x-lemma", to help with the elimination of the construct.
xstruct_lemma is a reformulation of mkstruct_erase.
Lemma xstruct_lemma : F H Q,
  H ==> F Q
  H ==> mkstruct F Q.
Proof using. introv M. xchange M. applys mkstruct_erase. Qed.
xval_lemma reformulates the definition of wpgen_val. It just unfolds the definition.
Lemma xval_lemma : v H Q,
  H ==> Q v
  H ==> wpgen_val v Q.
Proof using. introv M. applys M. Qed.
xlet_lemma reformulates the definition of wpgen_let. It just unfolds the definition.
Lemma xlet_lemma : H F1 F2of Q,
  H ==> F1 (fun vF2of v Q)
  H ==> wpgen_let F1 F2of Q.
Proof using. introv M. xchange M. Qed.
Likewise, xseq_lemma reformulates wpgen_seq.
Lemma xseq_lemma : H F1 F2 Q,
  H ==> F1 (fun vF2 Q)
  H ==> wpgen_seq F1 F2 Q.
Proof using. introv M. xchange M. Qed.
xapp_lemma applies to goals produced by wpgen on an application. In such cases, the proof obligation is of the form H ==> wp t Q.
xapp_lemma reformulates the frame-consequence rule, and states the premise of the rule using a triple, because triples are used for stating specification lemmas.
Lemma xapp_lemma : t Q1 H1 H2 H Q,
  triple t H1 Q1
  H ==> H1 \* H2
  Q1 \*+ H2 ===> Q
  H ==> wp t Q.
Proof using.
  introv M WH WQ. rewrite wp_equiv. applys* triple_conseq_frame M.
Qed.
xwp_lemma is another name for triple_app_fun_from_wpgen. It is used for establishing a triple for a function application.
Lemma xwp_lemma : v1 v2 x t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fun x t1
  H ==> wpgen ((x,v2)::nil) t1 Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.
Proof using. introv M1 M2. applys* triple_app_fun_from_wpgen. Qed.

An Example Proof

Let us illustrate how the "x-lemmas" help clarifying verification proof scripts.
Module ProofsWithXlemmas.
Import ExamplePrograms.
Open Scope wpgen_scope.

Lemma triple_incr : (p:loc) (n:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n)
    (fun _p ~~> (n+1)).
Proof using.
  intros.
  applys xwp_lemma. { reflexivity. }
  (* Here the wpgen function computes. *)
  simpl.
  (* Observe how each node begin with mkstruct.
     Observe how program variables are all eliminated. *)

  applys xstruct_lemma.
  applys xlet_lemma.
  applys xstruct_lemma.
  applys xapp_lemma. { apply triple_get. } { xsimpl. }
  xpull; intros ? →.
  applys xstruct_lemma.
  applys xlet_lemma.
  applys xstruct_lemma.
  applys xapp_lemma. { apply triple_add. } { xsimpl. }
  xpull; intros ? →.
  applys xstruct_lemma.
  applys xapp_lemma. { apply triple_set. } { xsimpl. }
  xsimpl.
Qed.

Exercise: 2 stars, standard, especially useful (triple_succ_using_incr_with_xlemmas)

Using x-lemmas, verify the proof of triple_succ_using_incr. (The proof was carried out using triples in chapter Rules.)
Lemma triple_succ_using_incr_with_xlemmas : (n:int),
  triple (trm_app succ_using_incr n)
    \[]
    (fun v\[v = n+1]).
Proof using. (* FILL IN HERE *) Admitted.

Making Proof Scripts More Concise

For each x-lemma, we introduce a dedicated tactic to apply that lemma and perform the associated bookkeeping.
xstruct eliminates the leading mkstruct.
Tactic Notation "xstruct" :=
  applys xstruct_lemma.
val, xseq and xlet invoke the corresponding x-lemmas, after calling xstruct if a leading mkstruct is in the way.
Tactic Notation "xstruct_if_needed" :=
  try match goal with ⊢ ?H ==> mkstruct ?F ?Qxstruct end.

Tactic Notation "xval" :=
  xstruct_if_needed; applys xval_lemma.

Tactic Notation "xlet" :=
  xstruct_if_needed; applys xlet_lemma.

Tactic Notation "xseq" :=
  xstruct_if_needed; applys xseq_lemma.
xapp_nosubst applys xapp_lemma, after calling xseq or xlet if applicable. (We will subsequently define xapp as an enhanced version of xapp_nosusbt that is able to automatically perform substitutions.
Tactic Notation "xseq_xlet_if_needed" :=
  try match goal with ⊢ ?H ==> mkstruct ?F ?Q
  match F with
  | wpgen_seq ?F1 ?F2xseq
  | wpgen_let ?F1 ?F2ofxlet
  end end.

Tactic Notation "xapp_nosubst" constr(E) :=
  xseq_xlet_if_needed; xstruct_if_needed;
  applys xapp_lemma E; [ xsimpl | xpull ].
xwp applys xwp_lemma, then requests Coq to evaluate the wpgen function. (For technical reasons, we need to explicitly request the unfolding of wpgen_var.)
Tactic Notation "xwp" :=
  intros; applys xwp_lemma;
  [ reflexivity
  | simpl; unfold wpgen_var; simpl ].
Let us revisit the previous proof scripts using x-tactics instead of x-lemmas. The reader may contemplate the gain in conciseness.
Module ProofsWithXtactics.
Import ExamplePrograms.
Open Scope wpgen_scope.

Lemma triple_incr : (p:loc) (n:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n)
    (fun _p ~~> (n+1)).
Proof using.
  xwp.
  xapp_nosubst triple_get. intros ? →.
  xapp_nosubst triple_add. intros ? →.
  xapp_nosubst triple_set.
  xsimpl.
Qed.

Exercise: 2 stars, standard, especially useful (triple_succ_using_incr_with_xtactics)

Using x-tactics, verify the proof of succ_using_incr.
Lemma triple_succ_using_incr_with_xtactics : (n:int),
  triple (trm_app succ_using_incr n)
    \[]
    (fun v\[v = n+1]).
Proof using. (* FILL IN HERE *) Admitted.

Further Improvements to the xapp Tactic.

In this section, we describe two improvements to the xapp tactic.
The pattern xapp_nosubst E. intros ? ->. appears frequently in the above proofs. This pattern is typically useful whenever the specification E features a postcondition of the form fun v \[v = ..] or of the form fun v \[v = ..] \* ...
Likewise, the pattern xapp_nosubst E. intros ? p ->. appears frequently. This pattern is typically useful whenever the specification E features a postcondition of the form fun v \ p, \[v = ..] \* ... .
It therefore makes sense to introduce a tactic xapp E that, after calling xapp_nosubst E, attempts to invoke intros ? or intros ? x ->; revert x. In the latter case, to ensure that the name x that we use does not modify the existing name of the bound variable, we play some Ltac hacks, captured by the tactic xapp_try_subst.
Tactic Notation "xapp_try_subst" := (* for internal use only *)
  try match goal with
  | ⊢ (r:val), (r = _) _intros ? →
  | ⊢ (r:val), x, (r = _) _
      let y := fresh x in intros ? y ->; revert y
  end.

Tactic Notation "xapp" constr(E) :=
  xapp_nosubst E; xapp_try_subst.
Explicitly providing arguments to xapp_nosubst or xapp is very tedious. To avoid that effort, we can set up the tactics to automatically look up for the relevant specification.
To that end, we instrument eauto to exploit a database of already-established specification triples. This database, named triple, can be populated using the Hint Resolve ... : triple command, as illustrated below.
#[global] Hint Resolve triple_get triple_set triple_ref triple_free triple_add : triple.
The argument-free variants xapp_subst and xapp are implemented by invoking eauto with triple to retrieve the relevant specification.
The definition from Direct is slightly more powerful, in that it is also able to pick up an induction hypothesis from the context for instantiating the triple.
DISCLAIMER: the tactic xapp that leverages the triple database is not able to automatically apply specifications that feature a premise that eauto cannot solve. To exploit such specifications, one need to provide the specification explicitly (using xapp E), or to exploit a more complex hint mechanism (as done in CFML). (A poor-man's workaround consists in moving all the premises inside the precondition, however doing so harms readability.)
Tactic Notation "xapp_nosubst" :=
  xseq_xlet_if_needed; xstruct_if_needed;
  applys xapp_lemma; [ solve [ eauto with triple ] | xsimpl | xpull ].

Tactic Notation "xapp" :=
  xapp_nosubst; xapp_try_subst.

Demo of a Practical Proof using x-Tactics.

Module ProofsWithAdvancedXtactics.
Import ExamplePrograms.
Open Scope wpgen_scope.
The proof script for the verification of incr using the tactic xapps with implicit argument.
Lemma triple_incr : (p:loc) (n:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n)
    (fun _p ~~> (n+1)).
Proof using.
  xwp. xapp. xapp. xapp. xsimpl.
Qed.
In order to enable automatically exploiting the specification of triple in the verification of succ_using_incr, which includes a function call to triple, we add it to the hint database triple.
#[global] Hint Resolve triple_incr : triple.

Exercise: 2 stars, standard, especially useful (triple_succ_using_incr_with_xapps)

Using the improved x-tactics, verify the proof of succ_using_incr.
Lemma triple_succ_using_incr_with_xapps : (n:int),
  triple (trm_app succ_using_incr n)
    \[]
    (fun v\[v = n+1]).
Proof using. (* FILL IN HERE *) Admitted.
In summary, thanks to wpgen and its associated x-tactics, we are able to verify concrete programs in Separation Logic with concise proof scripts.

Optional Material

Tactics xconseq and xframe

The tactic xconseq applies the weakening rule, from the perspective of the user, it replaces the current postcondition with a stronger one. Optionally, the tactic can be passed an explicit argument, using the syntax xconseq Q.
The tactic is implemented by applying the lemma xconseq_lemma, stated below.

Exercise: 1 star, standard, optional (xconseq_lemma)

Prove the xconseq_lemma.
Lemma xconseq_lemma : Q1 Q2 H F,
  H ==> mkstruct F Q1
  Q1 ===> Q2
  H ==> mkstruct F Q2.
Proof using. (* FILL IN HERE *) Admitted.
Tactic Notation "xconseq" :=
  applys xconseq_lemma.

Tactic Notation "xconseq" constr(Q) :=
  applys xconseq_lemma Q.
The tactic xframe enables applying the frame rule on a formula produced by wpgen. The syntax xframe H is used to specify the heap predicate to keep, and the syntax xframe_out H is used to specify the heap predicate to frame out---everything else is kept.

Exercise: 2 stars, standard, optional (xframe_lemma)

Prove the xframe_lemma. Exploit the properties of mkstruct; do not try to unfold the definition of mkstruct.
Lemma xframe_lemma : H1 H2 H Q Q1 F,
  H ==> H1 \* H2
  H1 ==> mkstruct F Q1
  Q1 \*+ H2 ===> Q
  H ==> mkstruct F Q.
Proof using. (* FILL IN HERE *) Admitted.
Tactic Notation "xframe" constr(H) :=
  eapply (@xframe_lemma H); [ xsimpl | | ].

Tactic Notation "xframe_out" constr(H) :=
  eapply (@xframe_lemma _ H); [ xsimpl | | ].
Let's illustrate the use of xframe on an example.
Module ProofsWithStructuralXtactics.
Import ExamplePrograms.
Open Scope wpgen_scope.

Lemma triple_incr_frame : (p q:loc) (n m:int),
  triple (trm_app incr p)
    (p ~~> n \* q ~~> m)
    (fun _(p ~~> (n+1)) \* (q ~~> m)).
Proof using.
  xwp.
Instead of calling xapp, we put aside q ~~> m and focus on p ~~> n.
  xframe (p ~~> n). (* equivalent to xframe_out (q ~~> m). *)
Then we can work in a smaller state that mentions only p ~~> n.
  xapp. xapp. xapp.
Finally we check the check that the current state augmented with the framed predicate q ~~> m matches with the claimed postcondition.
  xsimpl.
Qed.

End ProofsWithStructuralXtactics.

Soundness Proof for wpgen

Module WPgenSound.

Introduction of the Predicate formula_sound

The soundness theorem that we aim to establish for wpgen is:
    Parameter wpgen_sound : E t Q,
      wpgen E t Q ==> wp (isubst E t) Q.
Before we enter the details of the proof, let us reformulate the soundness statement of the soundness theorem in a way that will make proof obligations and induction hypotheses easier to read. To that end, we introduce the predicate formula_sound t F, which asserts that F is a weakest-precondition style formula that entails wp t. Formally:
Definition formula_sound (t:trm) (F:formula) : Prop :=
   Q, F Q ==> wp t Q.
Using formula_sound, the soundness theorem for wpgen reformulates as follows.
Parameter wpgen_sound' : E t,
  formula_sound (isubst E t) (wpgen E t).

Soundness for the Case of Sequences

Let us forget about the existence of mkstruct for a minute, that is, pretend that wpgen is defined without mkstruct.
In that setting, wpgen E (trm_seq t1 t2) evaluates to wpgen_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2).
Recall the definition of wpgen_seq.
    Definition wpgen_seq (F1 F2:formula) : formula := fun Q
      F1 (fun vF2 Q).
Consider the soundness theorem wpgen_sound and let us specialize it to the particular case where t is of the form trm_seq t1 t2. The corresponding statement is:
Parameter wpgen_sound_seq : E t1 t2,
  formula_sound (isubst E (trm_seq t1 t2)) (wpgen E (trm_seq t1 t2)).
In that statement:
  • wpgen E (trm_seq t1 t2) evaluates to wpgen_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2).
  • isubst E (trm_seq t1 t2) evaluates to trm_seq (isubst E t1) (isubst E t2).
Moreover, by induction hypothesis, we will be able to assume the soundness result to already hold for the subterms t1 and t2.
Thus, to establish the soundness of wpgen for sequences, we have to prove the following result:
Parameter wpgen_sound_seq' : E t1 t2,
  formula_sound (isubst E t1) (wpgen E t1)
  formula_sound (isubst E t2) (wpgen E t2)
  formula_sound (trm_seq (isubst E t1) (isubst E t2))
                (wpgen_seq (wpgen E t1) (wpgen E t2)).
In the above statement, let us abstract isubst E t1 as t1' and wpgen t1 as F1, and similarly isubst E t2 as t2' and wpgen t2 as F2. The statement reformulates as:
This statement captures the essence of the correctness of the definition of wpgen_seq. Let's prove it.
Proof using.
  introv S1 S2.
  (* Reveal the soundness statement *)
  unfolds formula_sound.
  (* Consider a postcondition Q *)
  intros Q.
  (* Reveal wpgen_seq F1 F2, which is defined as F1 (fun v F2 Q). *)
  unfolds wpgen_seq.
  (* By transitivity of entailment *)
  applys himpl_trans.
  (* Apply the soundness result for wp on sequences:
     wp t1 (fun v wp t2 Q) ==> wp (trm_seq t1 t2) Q. *)

  2:{ applys wp_seq. }
  (* Exploit the induction hypotheses to conclude *)
  { applys himpl_trans.
    { applys S1. }
    { applys wp_conseq. intros v. applys S2. } }
Qed.

Soundness of wpgen for the Other Term Constructs

The proof for the other term constructs are shown below and will be used to set up the main induction. The reader may skip over the proof details.
Lemma wpgen_val_sound : v,
  formula_sound (trm_val v) (wpgen_val v).
Proof using. intros. intros Q. unfolds wpgen_val. applys wp_val. Qed.

Lemma wpgen_fun_val_sound : x t,
  formula_sound (trm_fun x t) (wpgen_val (val_fun x t)).
Proof using. intros. intros Q. unfolds wpgen_val. applys wp_fun. Qed.

Lemma wpgen_fix_val_sound : f x t,
  formula_sound (trm_fix f x t) (wpgen_val (val_fix f x t)).
Proof using. intros. intros Q. unfolds wpgen_val. applys wp_fix. Qed.

Lemma wpgen_let_sound : F1 F2of x t1 t2,
  formula_sound t1 F1
  ( v, formula_sound (subst x v t2) (F2of v))
  formula_sound (trm_let x t1 t2) (wpgen_let F1 F2of).
Proof using.
  introv S1 S2. intros Q. unfolds wpgen_let. applys himpl_trans wp_let.
  applys himpl_trans S1. applys wp_conseq. intros v. applys S2.
Qed.

Lemma wpgen_if_sound : F1 F2 t0 t1 t2,
  formula_sound t1 F1
  formula_sound t2 F2
  formula_sound (trm_if t0 t1 t2) (wpgen_if t0 F1 F2).
Proof using.
  introv S1 S2. intros Q. unfold wpgen_if. xpull. intros b →.
  applys himpl_trans wp_if. case_if. { applys S1. } { applys S2. }
Qed.
The formula wpgen_fail is a sound formula not just for a variable trm_var x, but in fact for any term t. Indeed, the entailment \[False] ==> wp t Q is always true. Hence the general statement for wpgen_fail that appears next.
Lemma wpgen_fail_sound : t,
  formula_sound t wpgen_fail.
Proof using. intros. intros Q. unfold wpgen_fail. xpull. Qed.
The formula wp t is a sound formula for a term t, not just when t is an application, but for any term t. Hence the general statement for wp that appears next.
Lemma wp_sound : t,
  formula_sound t (wp t).
Proof using. intros. intros Q. applys himpl_refl. Qed.

Soundness of mkstruct

To carry out the soundness proof for wpgen, we also need to justify that the addition of mkstruct to the head of every call to wpgen preserves the entailment wpgen t Q ==> wp t Q.
Consider a term t. The result of wpgen t takes the form mkstruct F, where F denotes the main pattern matching on t that occurs in the definition of wpgen.
Our goal is to show that if the formula F is a valid weakest precondition for t, then so is mkstruct F. One way to prove this result is to exploit the fact that, when a formula F is of the form wp t, applying mkstruct does not alter its meaning (recall lemma mkstruct_wp).
Lemma mkstruct_sound : t F,
  formula_sound t F
  formula_sound t (mkstruct F).
Proof using.
  introv M. unfolds formula_sound. intros Q.
  rewrite <- mkstruct_wp. applys mkstruct_monotone. applys M.
Qed.
Another, lower-level proof for the same result reveals the definition of mkstruct and exploits the consequence-frame rule for wp.
Lemma mkstruct_sound' : t F,
  formula_sound t F
  formula_sound t (mkstruct F).
Proof using.
  introv M. unfolds formula_sound.
  (* Consider a postcondition Q *)
  intros Q.
  (* Reveal the definition of mkstruct *)
  unfolds mkstruct.
  (* Extract the Q' quantified in the definition of mkstruct *)
  xsimpl; intros Q' H N.
  (* Instantiate the assumption on F with that Q', and exploit it. *)
  lets M': M Q'. xchange M'.
  (* Conclude using the structural rules for wp. *)
  applys wp_conseq_frame. applys N.
Qed.

Lemmas Capturing Properties of Iterated Substitutions

In the proof of soundness for wpgen, we need to exploit two basic properties of the iterated substitution function isubst.
The first property asserts that the substitution for the empty context is the identity. This result is needed to cleanly state the final statement of the soundness theorem.
Parameter isubst_nil : t,
  isubst nil t = t.
The second property asserts that the substitution for a context (x,v)::E is the same as the substitution for the context rem x E followed with the substitution of x by v using the basic substitution function subst. This second property is needed to handle the case of let-bindings.
Parameter isubst_rem : x v E t,
  isubst ((x,v)::E) t = subst x v (isubst (rem x E) t).
The proofs for these two lemmas is technical and of limited interest. They can be found in appendix near the end of this chapter.

Main Induction for the Soundness Proof of wpgen

We prove the soundness of wpgen E t by structural induction on t.
As explained previously, the soundness lemma is stated with help of the predicate formula_sound, in the form: formula_sound (isubst E t) (wpgen t).
For each term construct, the proof case consists of two steps:
  • first, invoke the lemma mkstruct_sound to justify soundness of the leading mkstruct produced by wpgen,
  • second, invoke the the soundness lemma specific to that term construct, e.g. wpgen_seq_sound for sequences.
Lemma wpgen_sound_induct : E t,
  formula_sound (isubst E t) (wpgen E t).
Proof using.
  intros. gen E. induction t; intros; simpl;
   applys mkstruct_sound.
  { applys wpgen_val_sound. }
  { rename v into x. unfold wpgen_var. case_eq (lookup x E).
    { intros v EQ. applys wpgen_val_sound. }
    { intros N. applys wpgen_fail_sound. } }
  { applys wpgen_fun_val_sound. }
  { applys wpgen_fix_val_sound. }
  { applys wp_sound. }
  { applys wpgen_seq_sound. { applys IHt1. } { applys IHt2. } }
  { rename v into x. applys wpgen_let_sound.
    { applys IHt1. }
    { intros v. rewrite <- isubst_rem. applys IHt2. } }
  { applys wpgen_if_sound. { applys IHt2. } { applys IHt3. } }
Qed.

Statement of Soundness of wpgen for Closed Terms

For a closed term t, the context E is instantiated as nil, and isubst nil t simplifies to t. We obtain the main soundness statement for wpgen.
Lemma wpgen_sound : t Q,
  wpgen nil t Q ==> wp t Q.
Proof using.
  introv M. lets N: (wpgen_sound nil t). rewrite isubst_nil in N. applys* N.
Qed.
A corollary can be derived for deriving a triple of the form triple t H Q from wpgen nil t.
Lemma triple_of_wpgen : t H Q,
  H ==> wpgen nil t Q
  triple t H Q.
Proof using.
  introv M. rewrite <- wp_equiv. xchange M. applys wpgen_sound.
Qed.
The lemma triple_app_fun_from_wpgen, used by the tactic xwp, is a variant of wpgen_of_triple specialized for establishing a triple for a function application. (Recall that, in essence, this lemma is a reformulation of the rule triple_app_fun.)
Lemma triple_app_fun_from_wpgen : v1 v2 x t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fun x t1
  H ==> wpgen ((x,v2)::nil) t1 Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.
Proof using.
  introv M1 M2. applys triple_app_fun M1.
  asserts_rewrite (subst x v2 t1 = isubst ((x,v2)::nil) t1).
  { rewrite isubst_rem. rewrite* isubst_nil. }
  rewrite <- wp_equiv. xchange M2. applys wpgen_sound_induct.
Qed.
The lemma triple_app_fix_from_wpgen is a variant of the above lemma suited for recursive functions. Note that the proof exploits a lemma called isubst_rem_2 which is an immediate generalization of the lemma isubst_rem. The proof of isubst_rem_2 appears near the bottom of this file.
Lemma triple_app_fix_from_wpgen : v1 v2 f x t1 H Q,
  v1 = val_fix f x t1
  H ==> wpgen ((f,v1)::(x,v2)::nil) t1 Q
  triple (trm_app v1 v2) H Q.
Proof using.
  introv M1 M2. applys triple_app_fix M1.
  asserts_rewrite (subst x v2 (subst f v1 t1)
                 = isubst ((f,v1)::(x,v2)::nil) t1).
  { rewrite isubst_rem_2. rewrite* isubst_nil. }
  rewrite <- wp_equiv. xchange M2. applys wpgen_sound_induct.
Qed.

End WPgenSound.

Guessing the Definition of mkstruct

Module MkstructGuess.
How could we have possibly guessed the definition of mkstruct?
Recall that we observed, in an exercise, that the definition of mkstruct satisfies the idempotence property:
    Lemma mkstruct_idempotence : F
      mkstruct (mkstruct F) = mkstruct F
This idempotence property reflects in particular the fact that consecutive applications of the frame rule can be combined into into a single application of this rule, and likewise for the rule of consequence. Since it seems to make some sense for mkstruct to be idempotent, let us pretend that this property is a requirement for mkstruct.
In other words, assume that we are searching for a predicate satisfying 4 properties: mkstruct_frame, mkstruct_conseq, mkstruct_erase, and mkstruct_idempotence.
The following reasoning steps can lead to figure out a definition of mkstruct that satisfies these properties.
Recall the statement of mkstruct_frame and of mkstruct_conseq.
Parameter mkstruct_frame : F H Q,
  (mkstruct F Q) \* H ==> mkstruct F (Q \*+ H).

Parameter mkstruct_conseq : F Q1 Q2,
  Q1 ===> Q2
  mkstruct F Q1 ==> mkstruct F Q2.
The two rules can be combined into a single one as follows (similarly to the way it is done for wp_conseq_frame).
By the idempotence property mkstruct_idempotence, mkstruct F should be equal to mkstruct (mkstruct F). Let's exploit this equality for the second occurrence of mkstruct F.
Now, let's replace mkstruct F with F'. Doing so results in the statment shown below, which gives a sufficient condition for the statement mkstruct_conseq_idempotence to hold.
We can reformulate the above statement as an introduction rule by merging the hypothesis into the left-hand side of the entailment from the conclusion. We thereby obtain an introduction lemma for mkstruct.
For this entailment to hold, because entailment is a reflexive relation, it is sufficient to define mkstruct F' Q2, that is, the right-hand side of the entailment, as equal to the contents of the left-hand side.
Definition mkstruct (F':formula) : formula :=
  fun (Q2:valhprop) ⇒ \ Q1 H, \[Q1 \*+ H ===> Q2] \* H \* (F' Q1).
As we have proved earlier in this chapter, this definition indeed satisfies the 4 desired properties: mkstruct_frame, mkstruct_conseq, mkstruct_erase, and mkstruct_idempotence.

Proof of Properties of Iterated Substitution

In these proofs, we use the TLC tactic fequals which is an enhanced variant of the tactic f_equal.
Module IsubstProp.

Open Scope liblist_scope.

Implicit Types E : ctx.
Recall that isubst E t denotes the multi-substitution in the term t of all bindings form the association list E.
The soundness proof for wpgen and the proof of its corollary triple_app_fun_from_wpgen rely on two key properties of iterated substitutions, captured by the lemmas called isubst_nil and isubst_rem, which we state and prove next.
    isubst nil t = t

    subst x v (isubst (rem x E) t) = isubst ((x,v)::E) t
The first lemma is straightforward by induction.
Lemma isubst_nil : t,
  isubst nil t = t.
Proof using.
  intros t. induction t; simpl; fequals.
Qed.
The second lemma is much more involved to prove.
We introduce the notion of "two equivalent contexts" E1 and E2, and argue that substitution for two equivalent contexts yields the same result.
We then introduce the notion of "contexts with disjoint domains", and argue that if E1 and E2 are disjoint then isubst (E1 ++ E2) t = isubst E1 (isubst E2 t).
Before we start, we describe the tactic case_var, which helps with the case_analyses on variable equalities, and we prove an auxiliary lemma that describes the result of a lookup on a context from which a binding has been removed. It is defined in file LibSepVar.v as:
    Tactic Notation "case_var" :=
      repeat rewrite var_eq_spec in *; repeat case_if.
The tactic case_var* is a shorthand for case_var followed with automation (essentially, eauto).
On key auxiliary lemma relates subst and isubst.
Lemma subst_eq_isubst_one : x v t,
  subst x v t = isubst ((x,v)::nil) t.
Proof using.
  intros. induction t; simpl.
  { fequals. }
  { case_var*. }
  { fequals. case_var*. { rewrite* isubst_nil. } }
  { fequals. case_var; try case_var; simpl; try case_var;
              try rewrite isubst_nil; auto. }
  { fequals*. }
  { fequals*. }
  { fequals*. case_var*. { rewrite* isubst_nil. } }
  { fequals*. }
Qed.
A lemma about the lookup in a removal.
Lemma lookup_rem : x y E,
  lookup x (rem y E) = if var_eq x y then None else lookup x E.
Proof using.
  intros. induction E as [|(z,v) E'].
  { simpl. case_var*. }
  { simpl. case_var*; simpl; case_var*. }
Qed.
A lemma about the removal over an append.
Lemma rem_app : x E1 E2,
  rem x (E1 ++ E2) = rem x E1 ++ rem x E2.
Proof using.
  intros. induction E1 as [|(y,w) E1']; rew_list; simpl. { auto. }
  { case_var*. { rew_list. fequals. } }
Qed.
The definition of equivalent contexts.
Definition ctx_equiv E1 E2 :=
   x, lookup x E1 = lookup x E2.
The fact that removal preserves equivalence.
Lemma ctx_equiv_rem : x E1 E2,
  ctx_equiv E1 E2
  ctx_equiv (rem x E1) (rem x E2).
Proof using.
  introv M. unfolds ctx_equiv. intros y.
  do 2 rewrite lookup_rem. case_var*.
Qed.
The fact that substitution for equivalent contexts yields equal results.
Lemma isubst_ctx_equiv : t E1 E2,
  ctx_equiv E1 E2
  isubst E1 t = isubst E2 t.
Proof using.
  hint ctx_equiv_rem.
  intros t. induction t; introv EQ; simpl; fequals*.
  { rewrite EQ. auto. }
Qed.
The definition of disjoint contexts.
Definition ctx_disjoint E1 E2 :=
   x v1 v2, lookup x E1 = Some v1 lookup x E2 = Some v2 False.
Removal preserves disjointness.
Lemma ctx_disjoint_rem : x E1 E2,
  ctx_disjoint E1 E2
  ctx_disjoint (rem x E1) (rem x E2).
Proof using.
  introv D. intros y v1 v2 K1 K2. rewrite lookup_rem in *.
  case_var. applys* D K1 K2.
Qed.
Lookup in the concatenation of two disjoint contexts
Lemma lookup_app : x E1 E2,
  lookup x (E1 ++ E2) = match lookup x E1 with
                        | Nonelookup x E2
                        | Some vSome v
                        end.
Proof using.
  introv. induction E1 as [|(y,w) E1']; rew_list; simpl; intros.
  { auto. }
  { case_var*. }
Qed.
The key induction shows that isubst distributes over context concatenation.
Lemma isubst_app : t E1 E2,
  isubst (E1 ++ E2) t = isubst E2 (isubst E1 t).
Proof using.
  hint ctx_disjoint_rem.
  intros t. induction t; simpl; intros.
  { fequals. }
  { rename v into x. rewrite* lookup_app.
    case_eq (lookup x E1); introv K1; case_eq (lookup x E2); introv K2; auto.
    { simpl. rewrite* K2. }
    { simpl. rewrite* K2. } }
  { fequals. rewrite* rem_app. }
  { fequals. do 2 rewrite* rem_app. }
  { fequals*. }
  { fequals*. }
  { fequals*. { rewrite* rem_app. } }
  { fequals*. }
Qed.
The next lemma asserts that the concatenation order is irrelevant in a substitution if the contexts have disjoint domains.
Lemma isubst_app_swap : t E1 E2,
  ctx_disjoint E1 E2
  isubst (E1 ++ E2) t = isubst (E2 ++ E1) t.
Proof using.
  introv D. applys isubst_ctx_equiv. applys* ctx_disjoint_equiv_app.
Qed.
We are ready to derive the desired property of isubst.
Lemma isubst_rem : x v E t,
  isubst ((x, v)::E) t = subst x v (isubst (rem x E) t).
Proof using.
  intros. rewrite subst_eq_isubst_one. rewrite <- isubst_app.
  rewrite isubst_app_swap.
  { applys isubst_ctx_equiv. intros y. rew_list. simpl. case_var*.
    { rewrite lookup_rem. case_var*. } }
  { intros y v1 v2 K1 K2. simpls. case_var.
    { subst. rewrite lookup_rem in K1. case_var*. } }
Qed.
We also prove the variant lemma which is useful for handling recursive functions.
Lemma isubst_rem_2 : f x vf vx E t,
    isubst ((f,vf)::(x,vx)::E) t
  = subst x vx (subst f vf (isubst (rem x (rem f E)) t)).
Proof using.
  intros. do 2 rewrite subst_eq_isubst_one. do 2 rewrite <- isubst_app.
  rewrite isubst_app_swap.
  { applys isubst_ctx_equiv. intros y. rew_list. simpl.
    do 2 rewrite lookup_rem. case_var*. }
  { intros y v1 v2 K1 K2. rew_listx in *. simpls.
    do 2 rewrite lookup_rem in K1. case_var. }
Qed.

End IsubstProp.

Historical Notes

Many verification tools based on Hoare Logic are based on a weakest- precondition generator. Typically, a tool takes as input a source code annotated with specifications and invariants, and produces a logical formula that entails the correctness of the program. This logical formula is typically expressed in first-order logic, and is discharged using automated tools such as SMT solvers.
In contrast, the weakest-precondition generator presented in this chapter applies to un-annotated code. It thus produces a logical formula that does not depend at all on the specifications and invariants. Such formula, which can be constructed in a systematic manner, is called a "characteristic formula" in the literature. In general, a characteristic formula provides not just a sound but also a complete description of the semantics of a program. Discussion of completeness is beyond the scope of this course.
The notion of characteristic formula was introduced work by [Hennessy and Milner 1985] on process calculi. It was first applied to program logic by [Honda, Berger, and Yoshida 2006]. It was then applied to Separation Logic in the PhD work of [Charguéraud 2010], which resulted in the CFML tool. CFML 1.0 used an external tool that produced characteristic formulae in the form of Coq axioms. Later work by [Guéneau, Myreen, Kumar and Norrish 2017] showed how the characteristic formulae could be produced together with proofs justifying their correctness.
In Charguéraud's PhD and in Guéneau et al.'s work, characteristic formulae were slightly more complicated than those presented here, because they did not leverage the weakest-precondition approach, which streamlines the presentation.
Compared with Hoare Logic, one key aspect of characteristic formulae for Separation Logic is the need to support the frame rule. In this chapter, the predicate mkstruct introduced at every node of the output of wpgen serves that purpose. The definition of wpgen as stated in this chapter will probably be the matter of a publication in 2021.
(* 2023-10-01 07:24 *)