A 2016 essay arguing that mathematical formalism alone cannot solve the fundamental challenges of writing correct software. The author draws on practical experience to suggest that software complexity stems from real-world requirements and human factors, not just logic problems.
Background
The debate over whether formal methods can eliminate software bugs has persisted since the 1970s, with figures like Edsger Dijkstra championing mathematical correctness while practitioners note persistent real-world failures.
- Source
- Hacker News (RSS)
- Published
- Nov 12, 2026 at 06:28 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10