Verifying a Concurrent Garbage Collector Using a Rely-Guarantee Methodology

Concurrent garbage collection algorithms are an emblematic challenge in the area of concurrent program verification. In this paper, we address this problem by proposing a mechanized proof methodology based on the popular RelyGuarantee (RG) proof technique. We design a specific compiler intermediate representation (IR) with strong type guarantees, dedicated support for abstract concurrent data structures, and high-level iterators on runtime internals. In addition, we define an RG program logic supporting an incremental proof methodology where annotations and invariants can be progressively enriched. We formalize the IR, the proof system, and prove the soundness of the methodology in the Coq proof assistant. Equipped with this IR, we prove a fully concurrent garbage collector where mutators never have to wait for the collector.