Abstract Analyzing concurrent programs often involves reasoning about happens-before relations, handled by dedicated SMT theory solvers. Recently, preventative propagation rules have been introduced for consistency models to avoid unnecessary computations. This paper analyses the reproducibility of a recently published paper regarding a conflict-avoiding happens-before propagator. We show that the underlying axioms are insufficient for supporting sequential consistency. We find that the algorithm can leave out constraints on event ordering (even considering the original axioms), impacting the accuracy of verification. We show a simple counterexample to the stability claim in the paper. Two revisions of the algorithm are presented, and a proof on the correctness of these approaches respective of the original axioms is shown. The tool implementing the original algorithm is examined to ascertain how it circumvents wrong results. It is found that it deviates from the published algorithm. We show that an unmodified algorithm (via a patch in the implementing tool) causes incorrect results. We also show that our revised algorithm can be implemented efficiently in an independent verification tool.

Abstract EmergenTheta is our sandbox for experimental analyses. After its successful debut in SV-COMP’24, we kept some well-performing but still under-tested configurations, and complemented them with a new saturation algorithm over decision diagrams, and two ways of extending their verification power: wrapping them in a lightweight, counterexample-guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) loop based on implicit predicate abstraction; and backwards traversal of the state space. All such analyses now rely on a common interface to the underlying symbolic transition system, integrating seamlessly into the existing Theta framework. Using this combination of proven analyses and novel extensions, EmergenTheta outperformed our expectations in SV-COMP’25.

Abstract Theta is a model checking framework with a strong emphasis on effectively handling concurrency in software using abstraction refinement algorithms. In SV-COMP 2025, we complement our existing approach (abstraction-aware partial order reduction) for multi-threaded programs with a happens before propagator-based BMC check, expecting a significant increase in performance. We again utilize our portfolio with dynamic algorithm selection from last year, with improvements regarding solver choice and configuration ordering. In this paper, we detail our algorithmic improvements in Theta regarding the verification of concurrent software.

Abstract Thetais a model checking framework conventionally based on abstraction refinement techniques. While abstraction is useful for a large number of verification problems, the over-reliance on the technique led toThetabeing unable to meaningfully adapt. Identifying this problem in previous years of SV-COMP has led us to createEmergenTheta, a sandbox for the new approaches we wantThetato support. By differentiating between mature and emerging techniques, we can experiment more freely without hurting the reliability of the overall framework. In this paper we detail the development route toEmergenTheta, and its first debut on SV-COMP’24 in the ReachSafety category.

Abstract Thetais a model checking framework, with a strong emphasis on effectively handling concurrency in software using abstraction refinement algorithms. In SV-COMP 2024, we use 1) an abstraction-aware partial order reduction; 2) a dynamic statement reduction technique; and 3) enhanced support for call stacks to handle recursive programs. We integrate these techniques in an improved architecture with inherent support for portfolio-based verification using dynamic algorithm selection, with a diverse selection of supported SMT solvers as well. In this paper we detail the advances ofThetaregarding concurrent and recursive software support.