Verifying an open compiler using multi-language semantics

Abstract

Existing verified compilers are proved correct under a closed-world assumption, i.e., that the compiler will only be used to compile whole programs. We present a new methodology for verifying correct compilation of program components, while formally allowing linking with target code of arbitrary provenance. To demonstrate our methodology, we present a two-pass type-preserving open compiler and prove that compilation preserves semantics. The central novelty of our approach is that we define a combined language that embeds the source, intermediate, and target languages and formalizes a semantics of interoperability between them, using boundaries in the style of Matthews and Findler. Compiler correctness is stated as contextual equivalence in the combined language. Note to reader: We use blue, red, and purple to typeset terms in various languages. This paper will be difficult to follow unless read/printed in color. © 2014 Springer-Verlag.