arXiv subjects

Boris Eng

Publications and source records attributed to Boris Eng.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Multiplicative linear logic from a resolution-based tile system

We present the stellar resolution, a "flexible" tile system based on Robinson's first-order resolution. After establishing formal definitions and basic properties of the stellar resolution, we show its Turing-completeness and to illustrate the model, we exhibit how it naturally represents computation with Horn clauses and automata as well as nondeterministic tiling constructions used in DNA computing. In the second and main part, by using the stellar resolution, we formalise and extend ideas of a new alternative to proof-net theory sketched by Girard in his transcendental syntax programme. In particular, we encode both cut-elimination and logical correctness for the multiplicative fragment of linear logic (MLL). We finally obtain completeness results for both MLL and MLL extended with the so-called MIX rule. By extending the ideas of Girard's geometry of interaction, this suggests a first step towards a new understanding of the interplay between logic and computation where linear logic is seen as a (constructed) way to format computation.

cs.LO↗

arXiv2020

A gentle introduction to Girard's Transcendental Syntax for the linear logician

Technically speaking, the transcendental syntax is about designing logics with a computational foundation. It suggests a new framework for proof theory where logic (proofs, formulas, truth, ...) is no more primitive but computation is. All the logical entities and activities will be presented as formatting/structuring on a given model of computation which should be as general, simple and natural as possible. The selected ground for logic in the transcendental syntax is a model of computation I call "stellar resolution" which is basically a logic-free reformulation of Robinson's first-order clausal resolution with a dynamics related to tile systems. An initial goal of the transcendental syntax is to retrieve linear logic from this new framework. In particular, this model naturally encodes cut-elimination for proof-structures. By using an idea of "interactive typing" reminiscent of realisability theory, it is possible to design formulas/types generalising the connectives of linear logic. Thanks to interactive typing, we are able to reach a semantic-free space where correctness criteria are seen as tests (as in unit testing or model checking) certifying logical correctness, thus allowing an effective use of logical entities.

cs.LO↗

arXiv2020

Stellar Resolution: Multiplicatives

We present a new asynchronous model of computation named Stellar Resolution based on first-order unification. This model of computation is obtained as a formalisation of Girard's transcendental syntax programme, sketched in a series of three articles. As such, it is the first step towards a proper formal treatment of Girard's proposal to tackle first-order logic in a proofs-as-program approach. After establishing formal definitions and basic properties of stellar resolution, we explain how it generalises traditional models of computation, such as logic programming and combinatorial models such as Wang tilings. We then explain how it can represent multiplicative proof-structures, their cut-elimination and the correctness criterion of Danos and Regnier. Further use of realisability techniques lead to dynamic semantics for Multiplicative Linear Logic, following previous Geometry of Interaction models.

cs.LO↗

arXiv2016

Beyond Good and Evil: Formalizing the Security Guarantees of Compartmentalizing Compilation

Compartmentalization is good security-engineering practice. By breaking a large software system into mutually distrustful components that run with minimal privileges, restricting their interactions to conform to well-defined interfaces, we can limit the damage caused by low-level attacks such as control-flow hijacking. When used to defend against such attacks, compartmentalization is often implemented cooperatively by a compiler and a low-level compartmentalization mechanism. However, the formal guarantees provided by such compartmentalizing compilation have seen surprisingly little investigation. We propose a new security property, secure compartmentalizing compilation (SCC), that formally characterizes the guarantees provided by compartmentalizing compilation and clarifies its attacker model. We reconstruct our property by starting from the well-established notion of fully abstract compilation, then identifying and lifting three important limitations that make standard full abstraction unsuitable for compartmentalization. The connection to full abstraction allows us to prove SCC by adapting established proof techniques; we illustrate this with a compiler from a simple unsafe imperative language with procedures to a compartmentalized abstract machine.

cs.CR↗