Abstract Interpretation

Abstract interpretation is a theory of sound approximation of the semantics of computer programs. It allows developers to reason about the behavior of a program without executing it by using abstract mathematical domains.

This method can prove the absence of certain types of runtime errors, such as arithmetic overflows, across all possible execution paths. By simplifying the program's behavior into a manageable model, it provides a rigorous way to check for correctness while remaining computationally feasible.

In the context of blockchain security, it is used to ensure that financial calculations remain within safe bounds. It provides a middle ground between simple static analysis and full formal verification, offering strong guarantees with better performance.