CFGKAT: A Complete Calculus for Non-Local Control Flow

CFGKAT is an extension of guarded Kleene Algebra with Tests (GKAT) that adds non-local control flow (e.g., break, goto) while maintaining an efficient decision procedure. An axiomatization of equivalence for CFGKAT presents unique barriers created by the presence of non-local control flow and contextual semantics of goto which compromises compositional reasoning. In this paper, we overcome these barriers and present a sound and complete axiomatization of program equivalence in CFGKAT. We verify the loop case of the Erosa-Hendren goto elimination algorithm, a difficult syntactic metatheorem which requires reasoning about fixpoints, control-flow contexts, and mutable state. We mechanize the metatheory and case study in Rocq.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
arXiv (Cornell University)
Published
2026-11-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2611.14201
Primary Topic
Logic, programming, and type systems
Type
preprint
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preprint

CFGKAT: A Complete Calculus for Non-Local Control Flow

Tobias Kappé, Spencer Van Koevering, Alexandra Silva, Cheng Zhang
arXiv (Cornell University)
Logic, programming, and type systems
preprint

CFGKAT: A Complete Calculus for Non-Local Control Flow

Tobias Kappé, Spencer Van Koevering, Alexandra Silva, Cheng Zhang
preprint en

Abstract

CFGKAT is an extension of guarded Kleene Algebra with Tests (GKAT) that adds non-local control flow (e.g., break, goto) while maintaining an efficient decision procedure. An axiomatization of equivalence for CFGKAT presents unique barriers created by the presence of non-local control flow and contextual semantics of goto which compromises compositional reasoning. In this paper, we overcome these barriers and present a sound and complete axiomatization of program equivalence in CFGKAT. We verify the loop case of the Erosa-Hendren goto elimination algorithm, a difficult syntactic metatheorem which requires reasoning about fixpoints, control-flow contexts, and mutable state. We mechanize the metatheory and case study in Rocq.

arXiv (Cornell University)
Logic, programming, and type systems
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