Whylson-Connector README

This is the README for Whylson-Connector, a VS Code extension enabling formal verification of LIGO smart contracts through the use of WhylSon (repository, academic paper), a deductive program verification tool based on Why3.

Features

• On-the-fly compilation of LIGO files through customizable settings in contracts.json;
• Dual-View of LIGO and Michelson files, changes on LIGO files can be reflected in this panel, as well as LIGO compiler errors when compilation is not successful.
• Snippets for WhylSon specifications in LIGO files;
• Formal verification of Michelson smart contracts through WhylSon.

Requirements

To enable the extension's full capabilities, the following is required:

• VS Code instance being in a workspace environment;
• LIGO compiler present in the system's PATH;
• An installation of WhylSon at the root of the LIGO project;

Installation & Usage (Pre-Release, Pre-Publish)

• Download project into local machine;
• Run npm install in terminal to install dependencies;
• Run the Launch Extension target in the Debug View. This will:
  • Start a task npm: watch to compile the code;
  • Run the extension in a new VS Code window.
• In the newly open window, if not opened already, open a folder or workspace;
• Open or create a LIGO file;
• The extension is now active, enabling the user to use its features.

Extension Commands

This extension adds the following commands to the context:

• Save Contract : Attempts to make an entry for the current LIGO contract in .whylson/contracts.json. Making an entry requires a successful compilation of the LIGO document;
• Start Whylson Session : Starts a new process in which Whylson runs a session with the Michelson file, found within .whylson/contracts/, of the active LIGO file on screen;
• Open Michelson View : Opens Michelson file of respective LIGO document. If contract is not found within .whylson/contracts/, attempts to create a new entry for it, opening the view if successful. This command is also available through an icon on the editor title UI;
• Erase Contract Data : Erases the contract data for the active LIGO document in .whylson/contracts/ and .whylson/contracts.json;
• Remake .whylson Folder : Erases all contents of .whylson/ folder.

Extension Configuration

• whylson-connector.autoSave : Toggle autosave feature. If on, and Michelson view of respective LIGO file is visible, the latter is automatically saved after the specified time interval in autoSaveThreshold, triggering compilation;
• whylson-connector.autoSaveThreshold : Throttled time interval for auto saving;
• whylson-connector.onSaveBackgroundCompilation : Attempts to compile LIGO document even if view is not visible;
• whylson-connector.highlightAnnotations : Highlight whylson annotated lines in LIGO documents;
• whylson-connector.showOutputMessages : Have extension occasionally send messages on Whylson-Connector output channel.

Known Issues

• whylson-connector.showOutputMessages, whylson-connector.autoSaveThreshold and whylson-connector.highlightAnnotations configurations are undergoing development, not taking any effect on the extension yet;
• LIGO comment attribute still under development, being unable for annotations to be carried over to Michelson;
• WhylSon is undergoing development, and is unable to be launched at this moment in time.

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