HOL Light
6.0#19 in formal verification toolsWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitHOL Light vs Why3
What both publish
| Fact | HOL Light | Why3 |
|---|---|---|
| Browser access | The official site links to a browser version that runs HOL Light in a web browser. | TryWhy3 is a JavaScript version of the Why3 Verification Platform that runs in a browser. |
| Extensibility | HOL Light is fully programmable, allowing users to extend it with new theorems and inference rules without compromising soundness. | Why3 can be extended with support for new external provers and used as a software library through its API. |
| Installation | The official installation instructions recommend installing HOL Light through OPAM or cloning its GitHub source repository. | Why3 can be installed via Opam, run from a Docker image, or compiled from source. |
| Purpose | HOL Light is a computer program for formally proving mathematical theorems in higher-order logic. | Why3 is a platform for deductive program verification that uses WhyML and external theorem provers to discharge verification conditions. |
HOL Light plans
No prices published.
Why3 plans
- Why3Free
Pick HOL Light if…
HOL Light suits users working with deductive, higher-order-logic theorem proving who are comfortable with OCaml-based tooling. It supports self-hosted installations across Linux, macOS, Windows configurations, and browser use.
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.