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Bugs Quote by Donald Knuth

“Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it.” quote by Donald Knuth
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“Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it.”

Donald Knuth

About This Quote

Source Speech: Lecture on Programming, 1974

A programmer’s confidence in code can be misplaced without testing; proof alone isn’t sufficient.

In simple terms: Proof isn’t enough without testing.

Key Takeaway

Always test your code.

Themes

software development rigor validation

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

technical educational

When to use this quote

  • critical systems
  • software releases
  • debugging

Key Concepts

formal verification software testing

Questions to Reflect On

  • What methods ensure code reliability?
  • When is formal proof appropriate?
A Different Perspective

Testing can be costly and time‑consuming.

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