Home

Simple grammar bisimilarity, with an application to session type equivalence


We provide an algorithm for deciding simple grammar bisimilarity whose complexity is polynomial in the valuation of the grammar (maximum seminorm among production rules). Since the valuation is at most exponential in the size of the grammar, this gives rise to a (single) exponential running time. Previously only a double-exponential algorithm was known. As an application, we provide a conversion from context-free session types to simple grammars whose valuation is linear in the size of the type. In this way, we provide the first polynomial-time algorithm for deciding context-free session type equivalence.


Published on October 15, 2026
Structural Liveness of Conservative Petri Nets


We show that the EXPSPACE-hardness result for structural liveness of Petri nets [Jancar and Purser, 2019] holds even for a simple subclass of conservative nets. As our main result, we prove that for structurally live conservative nets, the values of the minimal live markings are at most doubly exponential in the size of the net. This implies the EXPSPACE-completeness of structural liveness for conservative Petri nets. The result also applies to structurally bounded Petri nets, whereas the complexity of the general case remains open. As a proof ingredient of independent interest, we present an extension of known results on the bounds of minimal integer solutions to Boolean combinations of linear equalities, inequalities, and divisibility constraints.


Published on October 9, 2026
Loops, Inverse Limits and Non-Determinism
Authors: Brattka, Vasco.


We introduce an operator on problems in Weihrauch complexity, which we call the infinite loop or inverse limit, and which corresponds to an infinite compositional product. This operation arises naturally whenever one implements algorithms that produce a sequence of results in an infinite loop, using some fixed subroutine. We prove that the corresponding operator is monotone with respect to (strong) Weihrauch reducibility but that it is not a closure operator. One of our findings is that weak Kőnig's lemma is closed under infinite loops, which implies that the class of non-deterministically computable problems is also closed under this operation. Consequently, this class allows for a high degree of flexibility in programming. As our main technical tools, we present an injective version of the recursion theorem and an infinitary version of the so-called independent choice theorem. We also show that, in general, the infinite loop operator is more powerful than the composition of the diamond operator followed by the parallelization operator. However, in many practical scenarios, these compositions yield a result, which coincides with the application of the infinite loop operator. Finally, we discuss the special situation of loops for single-valued problems and for problems on Turing degrees.


Published on October 8, 2026
Games, mobile processes, and functionss -- alternating, concurrent, and well-bracketed semantics


We establish a tight connection between two models of the $λ$-calculus, namely Milner's encoding into the $π$-calculus (precisely, the Internal $π$-calculus), and operational game semantics (OGS). We first investigate the operational correspondence between the behaviours of the encoding provided by $π$ and OGS. We do so for various LTSs: the standard LTS for $π$ and a new `concurrent' LTS for OGS; an `output-prioritised' LTS for $π$ and the standard alternating LTS for OGS. We then show that the equivalences induced on $λ$-terms by all these LTSs (for $π$ and OGS) coincide. We also prove that when equivalence is based on complete traces, the `concurrent' and `alternating' variants of OGS also coincide with the `well-bracketed' variant. These connections allow us to transfer results and techniques between $π$ and OGS. In particular: we import up-to techniques from $π$ onto OGS; we derive congruence and compositionality results for OGS from those of $π$; we transport the notion of complete traces from OGS onto $π$, obtaining a new behavioural equivalence that yields a full abstraction result for the encoding of $λ$-terms with respect to contexts written in a $λ$-calculus extended with store. The study is illustrated for both call-by-value and call-by-name.


Published on October 2, 2026
A Probabilistic Choreography Language for PRISM


We present a choreographic framework for modelling and analysing concurrent probabilistic systems based on the PRISM model-checker. This is achieved through the development of a choreography language, which is a specification language that allows to describe the desired interactions within a concurrent system from a global viewpoint. Using choreographies gives a clear and complete view of system interactions, making it easier to understand the process flow and identify potential errors, which helps ensure correct execution and improves system reliability. We equip our language with a probabilistic semantics and then define a formal encoding into the PRISM language and discuss its correctness. Properties of programs written in our choreographic language can be model-checked by the PRISM model-checker via their translation into the PRISM language. Finally, we implement a compiler for our language and demonstrate its practical applicability via examples drawn from the use cases featured in the PRISM website.


Published on October 2, 2026

Managing Editors

 

Alexandra Silva
Editor-in-Chief

Brigitte Pientka
Fabio Zanasi
Executive Editors


Editorial Board
Executive Board
Publisher

eISSN: 1860-5974


Logical Methods in Computer Science is an open-access journal, covered by SCOPUS, DBLP, Web of Science, Mathematical Reviews and Zentralblatt. The journal is a member of the Free Journal Network. All journal content is licensed under a Creative Commons license.