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However, writing software without defects is not…

“However, writing software without defects is not sufficient. In my experience, it is at least as difficult to write software that is safe - that is, software that behaves reasonably under adverse conditions.” quote by Wietse Venema
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“However, writing software without defects is not sufficient. In my experience, it is at least as difficult to write software that is safe - that is, software that behaves reasonably under adverse conditions.”

Wietse Venema

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Software must be resilient, not just bug‑free; it should handle unexpected conditions safely.

In simple terms: Bug‑free isn’t enough; safety matters.

Key Takeaway

Design for adverse scenarios.

Themes

software engineering safety reliability risk management defect prevention

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

technical pragmatic

When to use this quote

  • critical infrastructure
  • medical devices
  • autonomous systems
  • financial services

Key Concepts

fault tolerance robustness adversarial testing

Questions to Reflect On

  • What trade‑offs are acceptable for safety?
  • How can teams embed safety early?
A Different Perspective

Safety adds complexity and may increase development cost and time.

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