ACL2
5.6#30 in formal verification toolsLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
VisitACL2 vs Why3
What both publish
| Fact | ACL2 | Why3 |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Unix-like installation instructions cover Linux, macOS with Intel or ARM processors, and FreeBSD; Windows has separate installation instructions. | Why3 can be installed via Opam, run from a Docker image, or compiled from source. |
| Integrations | The Community Books include interfacing tools for file I/O, operating-system access, raw Common Lisp libraries, and connections to other programs. | The project lists EasyCrypt, Frama-C, and SPARK 2014 among projects that use Why3. |
| Purpose | ACL2 combines a Lisp-based programming language for formal models with a reasoning engine that can prove properties about those models. | Why3 is a platform for deductive program verification that uses WhyML and external theorem provers to discharge verification conditions. |
| Support | ACL2 users can get help through the acl2-help mailing list, which the site recommends to new users. | The project provides a user mailing list, a Zulip chat, and a bug tracking system. |
ACL2 plans
No prices published.
Why3 plans
- Why3Free
Pick ACL2 if…
It suits people working with formal models and deductive theorem proving, including in academic or industrial verification. Users should be prepared to install a Common Lisp implementation and consult the documentation for library requirements.
Pick Why3 if…
Why3 suits developers and researchers working on deductive verification with contracts and WhyML. It may also fit users who need to connect external provers or use its OCaml API.