A Visual Formalism for Computational Tree Logic

Abstract

The recent advances in computer graphics and multimedia technology provide new means for the visualization of abstract information spaces through the use of multi-dimensional and multi-modal communication channels. In the context of computer-aided verification, this potential can be effectively employed to provide visual notations for mathematical formalisms. We describe a visual system which supports visual presentation and manipulation of temporal sequencing properties expressed in the formalism of computation tree logic. The system enforces a metaphoric transposition of the abstract temporal semantics of the logic onto a concrete visual space through the use of 3D graphics, multiple windowing, color associations, and through the joint and coherent exploitation of both textual and graphic representations. This results in a complex interaction environment supporting syntactic parsing, semantic understanding, and visual editing of temporal expressions.