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Logic and Automata over Sequences with Data

Project description

New decidable logic/automata models that permit complex-data reasoning

Formal language theory defines a language with strings of symbols in a finite ‘alphabet’. The restriction in finite alphabets has hindered its application in theoretical computer science to important areas such as the infinite set of integers and set of strings. Automata, abstract mathematical ‘machines’ that perform a function by automatically following a predefined sequence of operations, have been extensively investigated but run into ‘undecidability’ (inability to determine the answer) when given anything but the simplest data reasoning. The European Research Council-funded LASD project plans to overcome this barrier by identifying new decidable logic/automata models for data languages that permit complex-data reasoning as well as developing efficient algorithms to analyse them.

Objective

Formal language theory is indisputably one of the most successful theories in theoretical computer science with many applications in such fields as formal verification, programming languages, and databases, to name a few. Despite this, the standard restriction to finite alphabets has been a limiting factor in the applicability of the theory in various important application domains, wherein sequences with data (i.e. ranging over an infinite domain like the set of integers and the set of strings) naturally arise. This has motivated an extensive study of automata over infinite alphabets in the last three decades, which aims to develop algorithms for analyzing data languages. It was, however, quickly realized that permitting anything but the simplest data reasoning results in undecidability for the most fundamental models in the theory. Given the growing practical needs for tools for reasoning about sequences with data, it is crucial that we break through this undecidability barrier.

The aim of the project is to overcome the current undecidability barrier in extending automata theory over infinite alphabets with complex data reasoning. The first concrete objective is, thus, to identify new decidable logic/automata models for data languages that permit complex data reasoning over various data domains (e.g. integer linear arithmetic, real-closed fields, string constraints, etc.), and to develop efficient algorithms for analyzing them. In addition to making fundamental theoretical contributions in automata theory
over infinite alphabets, I also aim to address the current practical needs for tools for reasoning about sequences.
Thus, the second objective of the project is to transfer new algorithmic insights to the following important application
domains:
(1) querying graph databases, (2) verification of list-manipulating programs, and (3) interpretable machine learning for sequences.

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2022-COG

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Host institution

RHEINLAND-PFALZISCHE TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 998 956,00
Address
GOTTLIEB DAIMLER STRASSE
67663 KAISERSLAUTERN
Germany

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Region
Rheinland-Pfalz Rheinhessen-Pfalz Kaiserslautern, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 998 956,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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