Abstract

We apply the XMC tabled-logic-programming-based model checker to the Java meta-locking algorithm. Meta-locking is a highly optimized technique for ensuring mutually exclusive access by threads to object monitor queues, and therefore plays an essential role in allowing Java to offer concurrent access to objects. Our abstract specification of the meta-locking algorithm is fully parameterized, both on M, the number of threads, and N, the number of objects. Using XMC, we show that for a variety of values of M and N, the algorithm indeed provides mutual exclusion and freedom from lockout. Collectively, our results provide strong testimony to the correctness of the meta-locking algorithm.