Fixing Zeno Gaps

erschienen 2011 in Theoretical Computer Science, 2011.

Abstract:
In computer science fixpoints play a crucial role. Most often least and greatest fixpoints are sufficient. However there are situations where other ones are needed. In this paper we study, on an algebraic base, a special fixpoint of the function f (x) = a · x that describes infinite iteration of an element a. We show that the greatest fixpoint is too imprecise. Special problems arise if the iterated element contains the possibility of stepping on the spot (e.g. skip in a programming language) or if it allows Zeno behaviour. We present a construction for a fixpoint that captures these phenomena in a precise way. The theory is presented and motivated using an example from hybrid system analysis.

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