Verifying Graph Algorithms in Separation Logic: A Case for an Algebraic Approach

Abstract

Verifying graph algorithms has long been considered challenging in separation logic, mainly due to structural sharing between graph subcomponents. We show that these challenges can be effectively addressed by representing graphs as a partial commutative monoid (PCM), and by leveraging structure-preserving functions (PCM morphisms), including higher-order combinators. PCM morphisms are important because they generalize separation logic’s principle of local reasoning. While traditional framing isolates relevant portions of the heap only at the top level of a specification, morphisms enable contextual localization: they distribute over monoid operations to isolate relevant subgraphs, even when nested deeply within a specification. We demonstrate the morphisms’ effectiveness with novel and concise verifications of two canonical graph benchmarks: the Schorr-Waite graph marking algorithm and the union-find data structure. This work has been published at the International Conference on Functional Programming (ICFP) 2025.