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arxiv: 2605.13765 · v1 · submitted 2026-05-13 · 💻 cs.LO · cs.PL

Recognition: no theorem link

First Steps Towards Probabilistic Iris: Harmonizing Independence, Conditioning, and Dynamic Heap Allocation

Authors on Pith no claims yet

Pith reviewed 2026-05-14 17:44 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 💻 cs.LO cs.PL
keywords probabilistic separation logicdynamic allocationindependenceconditioningIrismechanized verificationresource algebrasRocq
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The pith

Amaryllis is the first general-purpose probabilistic logic to support independence, conditioning, and dynamic memory allocation.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper presents Amaryllis as a new general-purpose probabilistic logic that integrates independence and conditioning with dynamic heap allocation. Existing logics could not handle pointers because memory configurations differ across probabilistic branches. Amaryllis uses an indexed valuation model to lift Iris-style resource ownership to probability distributions. This allows adapting core Iris mechanisms like frame-preserving updates and weakest preconditions to probabilistic reasoning. All results are mechanized in the Rocq proof assistant with an Iris-based proof mode.

Core claim

Amaryllis establishes a sound integration of probabilistic assertions with dynamic allocation by means of an indexed valuation-style model, which promotes standard Iris resource ownership to the distributional level, and adapts frame-preserving updates, authoritative resource algebras, and the weakest precondition modality to validate independence, conditioning, and heap operations.

What carries the argument

The indexed valuation-style model of probabilistic assertions, which enables generic promotion of Iris-style resource ownership to the level of distributions.

If this is right

  • Programs involving probabilistic choice and dynamic memory allocation can now be verified using modular independence and conditioning assertions.
  • Iris-style ghost state and resource algebras become available for probabilistic program reasoning.
  • Frame-preserving updates and weakest preconditions are sound in the presence of probability distributions over heaps.
  • Mechanized proofs of such programs are possible within a proof assistant using the provided Iris-based proof mode.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • This approach may extend to incorporating concurrency or other advanced Iris features into probabilistic settings.
  • Verification of algorithms using randomized data structures like hash tables or dynamic graphs could become feasible.
  • Similar indexed models might be applied to other separation logics to add probabilistic capabilities.

Load-bearing premise

The indexed valuation-style model integrates soundly with Iris-style resource algebras without losing the properties of independence or conditioning.

What would settle it

A concrete program with dynamic allocation whose probabilistic semantics permits an independence or conditioning violation that Amaryllis claims to rule out would falsify the soundness result.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2605.13765 by Deepak Garg, Derek Dreyer, Emanuele D'Osualdo, Iona Kuhn, Janine Lohse, Jimmy Xin, Niklas M\"uck, Tim Rohde.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: Selected proof rules of Amaryllis show the definitions of ∗, −∗ and . (𝑃 ∗ 𝑄) (𝑥) ≜ ∃𝑥1, 𝑥2. 𝑥1 · 𝑥2 ≼ 𝑥 ∧ 𝑃 (𝑥1) ∧ 𝑄(𝑥2) (𝑃 −∗ 𝑄) (𝑥) ≜ ∀𝑥 ′ . V (𝑥 · 𝑥 ′ ) ∧ 𝑃 (𝑥 ′ ) ⇒ 𝑄(𝑥 · 𝑥 ′ ) ( 𝑃) (𝑥) ≜ 𝑃 (|𝑥 |) It can be shown that all connectives preserve the almost-sure upwards-closedness of pProp. Entail￾ment can be defined in the standard way 𝑃 ⊢ 𝑄 ≜ ∀𝑥. V (𝑥) ⇒ 𝑃 (𝑥) ⇒ 𝑄(𝑥) In the following, we instantiate 𝑀 w… view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: Selected proof rules about weakest preconditions [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p017_2.png] view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: Proof rules for conditioning A.1 Example Proofs Here we write down the details of the derivation that we used for the Markov blanket example in Section 6.2 [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p025_3.png] view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: Proof rules for C-frameable wp-bind wp 𝐸  𝑉 . wp 𝐾[𝑉 ] {Φ} [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p026_4.png] view at source ↗
Figure 5
Figure 5. Figure 5: WP rules We define 𝜇0 ≜ 𝜇1 𝜅2. Following Bayes’ theorem, we define 𝜇2 ≜ 𝜆𝑣2. Í 𝑣1 𝜇0 (𝑣1, 𝑣2) and 𝜅1𝑣2 ≜ 𝜆𝑣1. 𝜇0 (𝑣1,𝑣2 ) 𝜇2 (𝑣2 ) such that we can invert the conditional probability: 𝜇1  𝜅2 (𝑣1, 𝑣2) = 𝜇2  𝜅1 (𝑣2, 𝑣1). We use this equality together with c-transf and derive the following [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p026_5.png] view at source ↗
read the original abstract

There has recently been exciting progress in the realm of *probabilistic separation logics*. An important subclass of these -- including PSL, Lilac, Bluebell, and pcOL -- are *general-purpose probabilistic logics* (or GPLs, for short), meaning that they provide primitive Hoare-style assertions about probability distributions on the program state, along with powerful modularity principles like *independence* and *conditioning*. However, none of these logics support reasoning about dynamically allocated memory (i.e., pointers into a heap), let alone the more sophisticated resource algebra-based ghost state of modern separation logics like Iris. We argue that this is due to a fundamental obstacle: since the shape of memory (and identity of memory locations) may differ under different random outcomes, it is unclear how pointer ownership can be harmonized with probabilistic independence and conditioning. Furthermore, none of the existing GPLs have been mechanized in a proof assistant. In this paper, we take a substantial first step towards a marriage of GPLs and modern separation logics like Iris, in the form of **Amaryllis**. Amaryllis is the first GPL to support independence and conditional reasoning while also handling dynamic memory allocation. To overcome the aforementioned obstacle, we propose a new *indexed valuation*-style model of probabilistic assertions, whereby ownership of a standard Iris-style resource (e.g., heaps) can be promoted to ownership at the level of distributions in a generic fashion. We then show how to adapt the central Iris notions of *frame-preserving update*, *authoritative resource algebras*, and the *weakest precondition modality* to be sound for probabilistic reasoning and validate dynamic allocation. Finally, we have mechanized all our results in the Rocq proof assistant and developed an Iris-based proof mode for conducting proofs within Amaryllis.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

0 major / 3 minor

Summary. The paper introduces Amaryllis, the first general-purpose probabilistic logic (GPL) supporting independence and conditioning together with dynamic heap allocation. It proposes an indexed valuation-style model that lifts Iris-style resource algebras (including heaps) to distributions over states, adapts frame-preserving updates, authoritative resource algebras, and the weakest-precondition modality to the probabilistic setting, and mechanizes the entire development—including an Iris-based proof mode—in the Rocq proof assistant.

Significance. If the mechanized soundness claims hold, the work constitutes a substantial advance by bridging existing GPLs (PSL, Lilac, Bluebell, pcOL) with modern separation-logic infrastructure. The machine-checked adaptation of Iris primitives and validation of independence/conditioning rules under dynamic allocation are particular strengths, as they discharge the central modeling challenge without ad-hoc parameters or circular reuse.

minor comments (3)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract: the sentence claiming Amaryllis is 'the first GPL to support independence and conditional reasoning while also handling dynamic memory allocation' should be qualified with a forward reference to the related-work discussion in §1 to avoid appearing overstated.
  2. [§4] §4 (or wherever the proof-mode tactics are described): the development of the Iris-based proof mode is mentioned but receives no concrete examples or discussion of proof size or automation effectiveness; adding a small illustrative derivation would strengthen the usability claim.
  3. [§3] Notation: the distinction between the indexed valuation model and the lifted resource algebra is sometimes blurred in prose; a short table contrasting the two (e.g., how ownership and composition are defined at each level) would improve readability.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

0 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for their positive summary of our paper, recognition of Amaryllis as the first GPL supporting dynamic heap allocation together with independence and conditioning, and the recommendation for minor revision. We will incorporate presentational improvements in the revised manuscript.

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No significant circularity identified

full rationale

The paper introduces a new indexed valuation-style model that lifts Iris-style resource algebras to distributions while preserving key properties. All central definitions, including adaptations of frame-preserving updates, authoritative composition, and the weakest-precondition modality, are mechanized in Rocq. Soundness proofs are machine-checked and do not reduce to fitted parameters, self-definitional equations, or load-bearing self-citations. The derivation chain is self-contained via formal verification rather than circular reuse of prior results.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 1 axioms · 1 invented entities

The claim rests on the soundness of the new indexed valuation model and the probabilistic adaptations of Iris concepts; these are mechanized but the abstract provides no independent external benchmarks.

axioms (1)
  • standard math Standard properties of probability distributions and separation logic resource algebras from Iris
    The paper builds on existing Iris framework assumptions for resource ownership and updates.
invented entities (1)
  • Indexed valuation-style model of probabilistic assertions no independent evidence
    purpose: To promote ownership of standard Iris-style resources to the level of distributions while supporting dynamic allocation
    Newly introduced to overcome the obstacle that memory shape may differ under different random outcomes.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5657 in / 1130 out tokens · 23891 ms · 2026-05-14T17:44:48.247271+00:00 · methodology

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