Parallel Randomized State-Space Search

Abstract

Model checkers search the space of possible program behaviors to detect errors and to demonstrate their absence. Despite major advances in reduction and optimization techniques, state-space search can still become cost-prohibitive as program size and complexity increase. In this paper, we present a technique for dramatically improving the cost effectiveness of state-space search techniques for error detection using parallelism. Our approach can be composed with all of the reduction and optimization techniques we are aware of to amplify their benefits. It was developed based on insights gained from performing a large empirical study of the cost-effectiveness of randomization techniques in state-space analysis. We explain those insights and our technique, and then show through a focused empirical study that our technique speeds up analysis by factors ranging from 2 to over 1000 as compared to traditional modes of state-space search, and does so with relatively small numbers of parallel processors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA459092

Entities

People

  • Matthew B. Dwyer
  • Rahul Purandare
  • Sebastian Elbaum
  • Suzette Person

Organizations

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Algorithms
  • Artifacts
  • Computer Science
  • Cost Reductions
  • Costs
  • Detection
  • Dynamic Loads
  • Engineering
  • Multithreading
  • Parallel Computing
  • Parallel Processing
  • Parallel Processors
  • Pseudo Random Sequences
  • Sequences
  • Software Testing
  • Transitions

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space