Covering space theory for directed topology

Abstract

The state space of a machine admits the structure of time. For example, the geometric realization of a precubical set, a generalization of an unlabeled asynchronous transition system, admits a "local preorder" encoding control flow. In the case where time does not loop, the "locally preordered" state space splits into causally distinct components. The set of such components often gives a computable invariant of machine behavior. In the general case, no such meaningful partition could exist. However, as we show in this note, the locally preordered geometric realization of a precubical set admits a "locally monotone" covering from a state space in which time does not loop. Thus we hope to extend geometric techniques in static program analysis to looping processes. © Eric Goubault, Emmanuel Haucourt, Sanjeevi Krishnan, 2009. © ARKAT USA, Inc.