# Introducing Certified Compilation in Education by a Functional Language Approach

## TL;DR

This paper presents an educational approach to teaching certified compilation using a functional language and automated proof tools, enabling students to build a verified compiler for a simple language.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel curriculum integrating formal methods and automated proofs into compiler education for students with limited prior experience.

## Key findings

- Students gained practical experience in formal verification.
- The approach improved understanding of compiler correctness.
- Automated proofs facilitated learning complex concepts.

## Abstract

Classes on compiler technology are commonly found in Computer Science curricula, covering aspects of parsing, semantic analysis, intermediate transformations and target code generation. This paper reports on introducing certified compilation techniques through a functional language approach in an introductory course on Compiler Construction. Targeting students with little or no experience in formal methods, the proof process is highly automated using the Why3 framework. Underlying logic, semantic modelling and proofs are introduced along with exercises and assignments leading up to a formally verified compiler for a simplistic imperative language. This paper covers the motivation, course design, tool selection, and teaching methods, together with evaluations and suggested improvements from the perspectives of both students and teachers.