Inspecting rewriting logic computations (in a parametric and stepwise way)

Abstract

Trace inspection is concerned with techniques that allow the trace content to be searched for specific components. This paper presents a rich and highly dynamic, parameterized technique for the trace inspection of Rewriting Logic theories that allows the non-deterministic execution of a given unconditional rewrite theory to be followed up in different ways. Using this technique, an analyst can browse, slice, filter, or search the traces as they come to life during the program execution. Starting from a selected state in the computation tree, the navigation of the trace is driven by a user-defined, inspection criterion that specifies the required exploration mode. By selecting different inspection criteria, one can automatically derive a family of practical algorithms such as program steppers and more sophisticated dynamic trace slicers that facilitate the dynamic detection of control and data dependencies across the computation tree. Our methodology, which is implemented in the Anima graphical tool, allows users to capture the impact of a given criterion thereby facilitating the detection of improper program behaviors.