G. A. Kavvos

dblp:176/5528 · also Alex Kavvos, Georgios Alexandros Kavvos · DBLP profile ↗
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17ranked-venue papers
7as first author
11since 2021 · last 2026
0000-0001-7953-7975ORCID · verified

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Theory of computation · 10 · 4 first-author · 6 since 2021Software engineering, systems software and programming languages · 8 · 4 first-author · 5 since 2021
YearPublicationVenuePosition
2026 Relational Dualities and Bisimulation
abstract
The Kripke semantics of various logics arises via categorical dualities between a category of relational frames and their maps, and a category of algebras and logical homomorphisms. When the relational frames are considered as computational systems (e.g. the states of a machine), the corresponding algebra is one of logical predicates on these systems (e.g. predicates on these states, i.e. program logics). Our aim is to extend this phenomenon to relations, putting well-behaved relations between systems (e.g. bisimulations) in correspondence with relations between predicates. This is achieved by constructing particular relational extensions of Tarski duality (for infinitary classical propositional logic) and Thomason duality (for infinitary classical modal logic). We sketch how these dualities give rise to a proof system that relates formulae between different systems.
Piotr Kozicki, G. A. Kavvos
FSCD2
2026 Contextual Embeddings: Implementing Bound Variables through Instance Resolution
abstract
Representing bound variables in embedded languages is a challenging problem, often requiring painful trade-offs between expressivity and usability. On the one hand, first-order representations using de Bruijn indices have many nice properties, but quickly become difficult to read and write. On the other hand, higher-order representations can piggy-back on the host language's binders to offer a more ergonomic interface, at a variety of costs depending on the technique. The current state-of-the-art is unembedding, i.e. a translation from the higher-order representation to the first-order and back again to get the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the fact that this translation is type-safe relies on external metatheoretic arguments, holding unembedding back from its true potential. We solve this problem with a new embedding technique that uses instance resolution to define a context-directed isomorphism between an ergonomic higher-order interface and a first-order representation. Unlike previous techniques, this also applies to embedded languages with modal and substructural (e.g. linear) type systems, making unembedding relevant for modern languages.
Samantha Frohlich, Jessica Foster, G. A. Kavvos, Meng Wang 0002
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.3
2026 Domain-Theoretic Semantics for Functional Logic Programming
abstract
Functional Logic Programming (FLP) is a paradigm that extends higher-order functional programming with nondeterministic choice, logical variables, and equational constraints. Starting from the observation that these constructs can be presented as algebraic effects, we rationally reconstruct a core calculus for FLP that is based on call-by-push-value, and supports higher-order functions and recursion. We show how to execute its programs through an abstract machine that implements narrowing. Finally, we present a domain-theoretic semantics based on the lower powerdomain, which we prove to be sound, adequate, and fully abstract with respect to the machine. This leads to an exploration of the limitations of domain theory in modelling FLP.
Eddie Jones, Samson Main, Celia Mengyue Li, Jonathan Marriott, G. A. Kavvos
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.5
2026 Bimodels and Biorthogonality for Abstract Machines
abstract
We develop a compositional semantics for abstract machines, focusing on CK/CEK machines for call-by-push-value. Taking abstract machines as the primary operational semantics, we introduce bimodels, which give denotations to both programs and stacks, and environment bimodels, which extend the construction to closures. Each has a syntactic instance, built from the machine itself, and a set-theoretic instance that serves as a denotational semantics. Using biorthogonality, we define logical relations over these models and prove fundamental lemmata that are parametric in the choice of model and observation. Different instantiations yield canonicity, adequacy, operational extensionality, internal full abstraction, and a first-order simulation theorem relating the CK and CEK machines. All results are mechanized in Agda.
April Tune, G. A. Kavvos
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.2
2025 Adequacy for Algebraic Effects Revisited
abstract
This paper proves an adequacy theorem for a general class of algebraic effects, including infinitary ones. The theorem targets a version of Call-by-Push-Value (CBPV), so that it applies to many possible evaluation mechanisms, including call-by-value. The calculus is given an operational semantics based on interaction trees, as well as a denotational semantics based on monad algebras. The main result, viz. that denotational equivalence implies observational equivalence, using a traditional logical relations argument.
G. A. Kavvos
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.1
2024 Two-Dimensional Kripke Semantics I: Presheaves
abstract
The study of modal logic has witnessed tremendous development following the introduction of Kripke semantics. However, recent developments in programming languages and type theory have led to a second way of studying modalities, namely through their categorical semantics. We show how the two correspond.
G. A. Kavvos
FSCD1
2022 Deeper Shallow Embeddings
Jacob Prinz, G. A. Kavvos, Leonidas Lampropoulos
ITP2
2022 Syllepsis in Homotopy Type Theory
abstract
The Eckmann-Hilton argument shows that any two monoid structures on the same set satisfying the interchange law are in fact the same operation, which is moreover commutative. When the monoids correspond to the vertical and horizontal composition of a sufficiently higher-dimensional category, the Eckmann-Hilton argument itself appears as a higher cell. This cell is often required to satisfy an additional piece of coherence, which is known as the syllepsis. We show that the syllepsis can be constructed from the elimination rule of intensional identity types in Martin-Löf type theory.
Kristina Sojakova, G. A. Kavvos
LICS2
2022 Modalities and Parametric Adjoints
abstract
Birkedal et al. recently introduced dependent right adjoints as an important class of (non-fibered) modalities in type theory. We observe that several aspects of their calculus are left underdeveloped and that it cannot serve as an internal language. We resolve these problems by assuming that the modal context operator is a parametric right adjoint. We show that this hitherto unrecognized structure is common. Based on these discoveries we present a new well-behaved Fitch-style multimodal type theory, which can be used as an internal language. Finally, we apply this syntax to guarded recursion and parametricity.
Daniel Gratzer, Evan Cavallo, G. A. Kavvos, Adrien Guatto, Lars Birkedal
ACM Trans. Comput. Log.3
2021 Multimodal Dependent Type Theory
abstract
We introduce MTT, a dependent type theory which supports multiple modalities. MTT is parametrized by a mode theory which specifies a collection of modes, modalities, and transformations between them. We show that different choices of mode theory allow us to use the same type theory to compute and reason in many modal situations, including guarded recursion, axiomatic cohesion, and parametric quantification. We reproduce examples from prior work in guarded recursion and axiomatic cohesion, thereby demonstrating that MTT constitutes a simple and usable syntax whose instantiations intuitively correspond to previous handcrafted modal type theories. In some cases, instantiating MTT to a particular situation unearths a previously unknown type theory that improves upon prior systems. Finally, we investigate the metatheory of MTT. We prove the consistency of MTT and establish canonicity through an extension of recent type-theoretic gluing techniques. These results hold irrespective of the choice of mode theory, and thus apply to a wide variety of modal situations.
Daniel Gratzer, G. A. Kavvos, Andreas Nuyts, Lars Birkedal
Log. Methods Comput. Sci.2
2021 Client-server sessions in linear logic
abstract
We introduce coexponentials, a new set of modalities for Classical Linear Logic. As duals to exponentials, the coexponentials codify a distributed form of the structural rules of weakening and contraction. This makes them a suitable logical device for encapsulating the pattern of a server receiving requests from an arbitrary number of clients on a single channel. Guided by this intuition we formulate a system of session types based on Classical Linear Logic with coexponentials, which is suited to modelling client-server interactions. We also present a session-typed functional programming language for client-server programming, which we translate to our system of coexponentials.
Zesen Qian, G. A. Kavvos, Lars Birkedal
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.2
2020 Multimodal Dependent Type Theory
abstract
We introduce MTT, a dependent type theory which supports multiple modalities. MTT is parametrized by a mode theory which specifies a collection of modes, modalities, and transformations between them. We show that different choices of mode theory allow us to use the same type theory to compute and reason in many modal situations, including guarded recursion, axiomatic cohesion, and parametric quantification. We reproduce examples from prior work in guarded recursion and axiomatic cohesion --- demonstrating that MTT constitutes a simple and usable syntax whose instantiations intuitively correspond to previous handcrafted modal type theories. In some cases, instantiating MTT to a particular situation unearths a previously unknown type theory that improves upon prior systems. Finally, we investigate the metatheory of MTT. We prove the consistency of MTT and establish canonicity through an extension of recent type-theoretic gluing techniques. These results hold irrespective of the choice of mode theory, and thus apply to a wide variety of modal situations.
Daniel Gratzer, G. A. Kavvos, Andreas Nuyts, Lars Birkedal
LICS2
2020 Dual-Context Calculi for Modal Logic
abstract
We present natural deduction systems and associated modal lambda calculi for the necessity fragments of the normal modal logics K, T, K4, GL and S4. These systems are in the dual-context style: they feature two distinct zones of assumptions, one of which can be thought as modal, and the other as intuitionistic. We show that these calculi have their roots in in sequent calculi. We then investigate their metatheory, equip them with a confluent and strongly normalizing notion of reduction, and show that they coincide with the usual Hilbert systems up to provability. Finally, we investigate a categorical semantics which interprets the modality as a product-preserving functor.
G. A. Kavvos
Log. Methods Comput. Sci.1
2020 Recurrence extraction for functional programs through call-by-push-value
abstract
The main way of analysing the complexity of a program is that of extracting and solving a recurrence that expresses its running time in terms of the size of its input. We develop a method that automatically extracts such recurrences from the syntax of higher-order recursive functional programs. The resulting recurrences, which are programs in a call-by-name language with recursion, explicitly compute the running time in terms of the size of the input. In order to achieve this in a uniform way that covers both call-by-name and call-by-value evaluation strategies, we use Call-by-Push-Value (CBPV) as an intermediate language. Finally, we use domain theory to develop a denotational cost semantics for the resulting recurrences.
G. A. Kavvos, Edward Morehouse, Daniel R. Licata, Norman Danner
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.1
2019 Modalities, cohesion, and information flow
abstract
It is informally understood that the purpose of modal type constructors in programming calculi is to control the flow of information between types. In order to lend rigorous support to this idea, we study the category of classified sets, a variant of a denotational semantics for information flow proposed by Abadi et al. We use classified sets to prove multiple noninterference theorems for modalities of a monadic and comonadic flavour. The common machinery behind our theorems stems from the the fact that classified sets are a (weak) model of Lawvere's theory of axiomatic cohesion. In the process, we show how cohesion can be used for reasoning about multi-modal settings. This leads to the conclusion that cohesion is a particularly useful setting for the study of both information flow, but also modalities in type theory and programming languages at large.
G. A. Kavvos
Proc. ACM Program. Lang.1
2017 On the Semantics of Intensionality
G. A. Kavvos
FoSSaCS1
2017 Dual-context calculi for modal logic
abstract
We present natural deduction systems and associated modal lambda calculi for the necessity fragments of the normal modal logics K, T, K4, GL and S4. These systems are in the dual-context style: they feature two distinct zones of assumptions, one of which can be thought as modal, and the other as intuitionistic. We show that these calculi have their roots in in sequent calculi. We then investigate their metatheory, equip them with a confluent and strongly normalizing notion of reduction, and show that they coincide with the usual Hilbert systems up to provability. Finally, we investigate a categorical semantics which interprets the modality as a product-preserving functor. Comment: Full version of article previously presented at LICS 2017 (see arXiv:1602.04860v4 or doi: 10.1109/LICS.2017.8005089)
G. A. Kavvos
LICS1