Teaching LTL and ω-automata with Spot

2026-07-07

AI Summary

This work proposes an interactive, visualization-based pedagogical approach leveraging the Spot toolset to address the instructional challenges in teaching the relationship between Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) and its corresponding ω-automata semantics. By innovatively adapting Spot—a library originally designed for research and verification, with C++ and Python interfaces—for educational purposes, the platform offers an intuitive visual representation of the translation process from LTL formulas to ω-automata and their semantic correspondence. This method substantially lowers the entry barrier to formal methods by providing a streamlined and accessible teaching tool, thereby significantly enhancing students’ comprehension and mastery of core concepts underlying LTL and ω-automata.

Abstract

Spot is a mature, open-source C++/Python library and toolset for Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) and $ω$-automata manipulation. While Spot is routinely used as a research and verification back-end, its rich visualization capabilities and Python interface also make it an attractive platform for \emph{teaching} the connections between temporal logic formulas and the $ω$-automata that give them their semantics.

Problem

• Linear Temporal Logic
• ω-automata
• teaching
• formal semantics
• visualization

Innovation

• teaching
• Linear Temporal Logic
• ω-automata
• visualization
• Spot