cvc5 Free plan 8.7 Visit SPIN
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What it is
SPIN is a free, self-hosted model-checking tool for analyzing the logical consistency of asynchronous systems, including distributed software and communication protocols. Systems are specified in Promela, which represents asynchronous processes, nondeterministic choices, loops, and local or global variables. Models can state correctness requirements, including linear temporal logic. SPIN supports interactive, guided, and random simulations of execution. For verification, it generates a C program for exhaustive or approximate checking of those requirements. Its product description lists detection of deadlocks, race conditions, incomplete specifications, and unjustified assumptions about process speeds. Partial order reduction optimizes verification runs, while the site provides guidance for multicore depth-first and breadth-first algorithms and swarm methods for large state spaces. SPIN runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as other listed systems. From version 6.4.5, its code, sources, and executables use the BSD 3-Clause license. Verification requires a working C compiler and preprocessor. The optional iSpin graphical interface is written in Tcl/Tk and requires Tcl/Tk.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- SPIN analyzes the logical consistency of asynchronous systems, including distributed software and communication protocols.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- License
- Starting with SPIN version 6.4.5, its code, sources, and executables are available under the BSD 3-Clause license.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Founded
- 1980Read 28 Sep 2026 · spinroot.com
- Build requirement
- The installation guide says SPIN requires a working C compiler and C preprocessor for verification.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Correctness properties
- Promela models can specify logical correctness requirements, including requirements expressed in linear temporal logic.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Issue detection
- The product description says SPIN checks specifications for deadlocks, race conditions, incompleteness, and unwarranted assumptions about process speeds.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Model language
- Systems are specified in Promela, which supports asynchronous processes, nondeterministic choices, loops, and local and global variables.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Multicore and swarm
- The binaries page links guidance for multicore DFS and BFS algorithms and for swarm methods to handle large state spaces.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Operating systems
- The download instructions say SPIN runs on Unix, Solaris, Linux, most Windows PCs, and Macs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Optional interface
- iSpin is an optional graphical interface written in Tcl/Tk, and the guide says it requires Tcl/Tk.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Partial order reduction
- SPIN’s product description lists partial order reduction as an optimization for verification runs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Simulation
- SPIN supports interactive, guided, and random simulations of a system’s execution.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Support and learning
- The site provides manual pages, tutorials, papers, books, and a forum through its homepage navigation.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
- Verification
- SPIN can generate a C program for exhaustive or approximate verification of a model’s correctness requirements.Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
Plans and prices
SPIN Free Free source and executables · BSD 3-Clause license Read 3 Oct 2026 · spinroot.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free BSD 3-Clause release
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Promela models temporal-logic requirements
- Interactive, guided, and random simulation
- Provides multicore and swarm guidance
Limits
- Verification requires a C compiler
- Optional iSpin requires Tcl/Tk
- Self-hosted deployment
- Models must be written in Promela
Who it suits
It suits developers and researchers specifying and checking asynchronous or distributed systems with Promela. It is self-hosted and useful where model-checking and temporal-logic requirements are needed.
Verdict
SPIN provides simulation and model-checking workflows for asynchronous-system specifications, with optimizations for large state spaces. Its free, self-hosted distribution requires compiler tooling, and the optional graphical interface adds a Tcl/Tk dependency.
Where Specifiction places it
- Formal Verification Tools#23 of 357.5
