F* (pronounced F star) is a general-purpose, proof-oriented programming language designed for writing programs together with machine-checked proofs of their properties.
It combines dependent types with automated and interactive theorem proving. F* supports purely functional and effectful programming, using SMT solving, symbolic computation, and tactics to discharge proof obligations. Verified programs can be extracted to languages including OCaml and F#, while specialised toolchains support C, Rust, WebAssembly, and assembly output.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Dependent and refinement types for expressing precise program properties.
- Supports both purely functional and effectful programming.
- Automates proofs using SMT solving and symbolic computation.
- Offers tactic-based interactive theorem proving.
- Supports user-defined computational effects.
- Combines programming and proofs in a single language.
- Extracts verified code to OCaml and F#.
- Supports low-level verified programming through Low* and KaRaMeL.
- Provides specialised routes for generating C, Rust, WebAssembly, and assembly code.
- Offers interactive development support for Emacs and Visual Studio Code.
Website: github.com/FStarLang/fstar
Support:
Developer: F* developers
License: Apache License 2.0
Related Software
| Proof Assistants | |
|---|---|
| Rocq Prover | Formal proof management system |
| Isabelle | Generic proof assistant; express mathematical formulas in a formal language |
| Lean | Programming language and theorem prover |
| Agda | Interactive system for writing and checking proofs |
| F* | Functional language for verified programs with dependent refinement types |
| HOL4 | Interactive higher-order logic environment for rigorous theorem development |
| Aya | Dependently typed language for formalisation and certified programming |
| Lambdapi | Logical framework for defining and checking expressive type systems |
| HOL Light | Lightweight higher-order logic system with a small trusted kernel |
| PVS | Specification and verification suite for analysing complex systems |
| LISA | Scala-based platform for formal mathematics and automated reasoning |
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