It is the latest version of the
HOL automated proof system for higher order logic: a programming
environment in which theorems can be proved and proof tools
implemented. Built-in decision procedures and theorem provers can
automatically establish many simple theorems. An oracle mechanism
gives access to external programs such as SAT and BDD engines. HOL 4
is particularly suitable as a platform for implementing combinations
of deduction, execution and property checking.
During the last 20 years there have been several
widely used versions of the HOL system:
HOL88 from Cambridge;
HOL90 from Calgary and Bell Labs;
HOL98 from Cambridge, Glasgow and Utah.
HOL 4 is the successor to these. Its development was partly supported by the PROSPER project.
HOL 4 is based on HOL98 and incorporates ideas and tools from
HOL Light.
The ProofPower system
is another implementation of HOL. It was originally developed by ICL,
but is now freely available from Lemma 1.
All the HOL systems use Robin Milner's LCF approach.
How easy is it to learn?
Starting from scratch, it takes on average about a month to become comfortable using HOL. Many people
learn the system from the free
tutorial, others take
courses that are offered from time to time.
Support and licencing
HOL 4 is an open source project with a BSD-style licence that
allows its free use in commercial products.
New developers are welcome.
Support and information is available online:
the hol-info mailing list is for
discussion, questions and announcements related to the HOL System (HOL4 and HOL Light discussions are both welcome)