Formal verification uses mathematical formulas to analyze computer circuits and software. It can find errors in the source code and model, and is used in combinatorial circuits and computer memory. Approaches include post, parallel, and integrated verification. Mathematical concepts and model checking are used, and different software is tailored to specific systems and programming languages.
Often used in testing computer circuits and software, formal verification occurs when the function of these systems is analyzed using mathematical formulas. In the case of software development, the process is typically used to show if the program works correctly, based on a predetermined model. Sometimes the theoretical model proves unsatisfactory. In addition to software source code, formal verification can be used in the development of combinatorial circuits, used to perform calculations in computers, as well as in computer memory. The different approaches include post verification, parallel verification and integrated verification as well as various methods.
Mathematical procedures for calculations, called algorithms, are used in formal verification to test product functions at each stage of development. Software developers can find errors or bugs both in the source code and in the model used to build it in the first place. Sometimes it is possible to make fundamental changes to the way the code is written before a design error affects the final result. The verification phase typically helps determine if the product is doing what it was intended to do and meets the specifications of its intended application.
Formal verification can occur when a product is completed, which is called post verification. A standard method, used throughout the design and development process, is not analyzed until the system is complete. Finding serious errors at this stage often leads to costly and time-consuming revisions. Development and testing can also be done by two separate teams for testing in parallel. Through intercommunication, developers can focus on independent tasks throughout the design process.
Integrated verification is when a team performs the development and required evaluation. Complex mathematical concepts are often used to verify product capabilities along the way. Formal verification methods vary across projects, but one often used is model checking. A hardware or software model consists of various properties that designers want in the finished product. The model and system can be checked periodically to see if the properties match.
Another technique in formal verification involves the use of mathematical and logical formulas to represent a system and its properties. Rules defined in a formal system are usually found in logic. Both of these techniques use various means to determine if a specific specification of a product is met. Developers may use different types of software in the formal verification process, each tailored to a specific system or programming language.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
