--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Software is like a science. We show…" description: "\"“Software is like a science. We show correctness by failing to prove incorrectness, despite our best efforts.”\" — Robert C Martin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/robert-c-martin-2-73247_science_software-is-like-a-science-we-show-corre_1662814.jpg" --- # Software is like a science. We show correctness by failing… ![“Software is like a science. We show correctness by failing to prove incorrectness, despite our best efforts.” quote by Robert C Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/robert-c-martin-2-73247_science_software-is-like-a-science-we-show-corre_1662814.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/robert-c-martin-2-73247_science_software-is-like-a-science-we-show-corre_1662814.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/robert-c-martin-2-73247_science_software-is-like-a-science-we-show-corre_1662814.jpg) > ““Software is like a science. We show correctness by failing to prove incorrectness, despite our best efforts.”” [Robert C Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-c-martin-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Software correctness is demonstrated by the inability to find faults despite thorough testing, emphasizing proof by contradiction. **In simple terms:** Show correctness by failing to find errors. Key Takeaway Test rigorously to confirm correctness. Themes software testing correctness proof by contradiction quality assurance Mood analytical cautious Type technical philosophical When to use this quote - critical systems - medical software - financial platforms - open‑source projects - educational curricula Key Concepts formal verification software reliability debugging practices Questions to Reflect On - What limits exist in proving software correctness? - How can we balance testing depth with development speed? A Different Perspective Proving a negative can be impractical for complex systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Correctness Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correctness-failing-777144/) [Incorrectness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incorrectness-777145/) [Incorrectness Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incorrectness-despite-777147/) [Prove Incorrectness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove-incorrectness-777146/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-correctness-777143/) [Testing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testing/) ## Related quotes > [“When the concept of error in the sense of incorrectness is used on the same level as the concept of erring in the sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-c-berkouwer/when-the-concept-of-error-in-the-sense-of-incorrectness-is-used-on/) [G C Berkouwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-c-berkouwer/) > [The incorrectness and weaknesses of a theory cause other minds to formulate the problems more exactly and in this way scientific progress is made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barany/the-incorrectness-and-weaknesses-of-a-theory-cause-other-minds-to/) [Robert Barany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barany/) > [“I must never equate the degree of pain as evidencing the incorrectness of a decision, for if I do I will default on some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/i-must-never-equate-the-degree-of-pain-as-evidencing-the/) [Craig D. 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