research-article

A Survey of Smart Contract Formal Specification and Verification

Authors:

Palina Tolmach,

Zengxiang LiAuthors Info & Claims

ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), Volume 54, Issue 7

Article No.: 148, Pages 1 - 38

https://doi.org/10.1145/3464421

Published: 18 July 2021 Publication History

Abstract

A smart contract is a computer program that allows users to automate their actions on the blockchain platform. Given the significance of smart contracts in supporting important activities across industry sectors including supply chain, finance, legal, and medical services, there is a strong demand for verification and validation techniques. Yet, the vast majority of smart contracts lack any kind of formal specification, which is essential for establishing their correctness. In this survey, we investigate formal models and specifications of smart contracts presented in the literature and present a systematic overview to understand the common trends. We also discuss the current approaches used in verifying such property specifications and identify gaps with the hope to recognize promising directions for future work.

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Marmsoler DThornton B(2025)Deductive Verification of Solidity Smart Contracts with SSCalcScience of Computer Programming10.1016/j.scico.2025.103267(103267)Online publication date: Jan-2025
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Lahami MJmal Maalej AKrichen M(2025)A systematic literature review on dynamic testing of blockchain oriented softwareScience of Computer Programming10.1016/j.scico.2024.103211240(103211)Online publication date: Feb-2025
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Index Terms

A Survey of Smart Contract Formal Specification and Verification
1. General and reference
  1. Document types
    1. Surveys and overviews
2. Software and its engineering
  1. Software creation and management
    1. Software verification and validation
      1. Formal software verification
  2. Software notations and tools
    1. System description languages
      1. Specification languages

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cover image ACM Computing Surveys

ACM Computing Surveys Volume 54, Issue 7

September 2022

778 pages

ISSN:0360-0300

EISSN:1557-7341

DOI:10.1145/3476825

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Published: 18 July 2021

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Received: 01 July 2020

Published in CSUR Volume 54, Issue 7

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https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3527158
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scico.2025.103267
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Yan Q(2024)A Study of the Impact of Smart Contract Technology on the Understanding and Application of Contract Law from the Perspective of the Legal ProfessionApplied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences10.2478/amns-2024-22389:1Online publication date: 5-Aug-2024
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Wei ZSun JZhang ZZhang XYang XZhu L(2024)Survey on Quality Assurance of Smart ContractsACM Computing Surveys10.1145/3695864Online publication date: 14-Sep-2024
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