PROOF OF ALGORITHMS BY GENERAL SNAPSHOTS (1966)


BIT 6(4): 310-316, 1966.


Abstract

A constructive approach to the question of proofs of algorithms is to consider proofs that an object resulting from the execution of an algorithm possesses certain static characteristics. It is shown by an elementary example how this possibility may be used to prove the correctness of an algorithm written in ALGOL 60. The stepping stone of the approach is what is called General Snapshots, i.e. expressions of static conditions existing whenever the execution of the algorithm reaches particular points. General Snapshots are further shown to be useful for constructing algorithms.