January: A Parallel Algorithm for Bug Hunting Based on Insect Behavior

January is a group of interacting stateless model checkers designed for bug hunting in large transition graphs that represent the behavior of a program or protocol. January is based upon both individual and social insect behaviors, as such, dynamic solutions emerge from agents functioning with incomplete data. Each agent functions on a processor located on a network of workstations (NOW). The agents’ search pattern is a semi-random walk based on the behavior of the grey field slug (Agriolimax reticulatus), the house fly (Musca domestica), and the black ant (Lassius niger). January requires significantly less memory to detect bugs than the usual parallel approach to model checking. In some cases, January finds bugs using 1% of the memory needed by the usual algorithm to find a bug. January also requires less communication which saves time and bandwidth.