Difference between soundness and correctness

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Is there any actual semantic difference between soundness and correctness? Can I use these words interchangeably when talking about formal reasoning, proof, logics, etc.?



Otherwise, is there a specific difference between something that is sound and something that is correct?










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  • 3




    Soundness is a technical term. Correctness isn't.
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 18:23










  • Does that imply I should avoid using correctness in formal articles? I do see it quite often however... Or simply that soundness is less likely to be understood outside of the formal community?
    – anol
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:42











  • Soundness is the name of a (family of) results. You should not use "correctness" as a substitute. In informal mathematical English, one can say that an argument is correct, or that it is sound. In that context, they are virtual synonyms. But that's a quite different usage than in the Soundness theorem(s).
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:50










  • Correctness is a technical term in some contexts (although maybe not the ones the OP is asking about.) For example, Shoenfield's absoluteness theorem says that the constructible universe $L$ is $Sigma^1_2$-correct (but we would not say that it is $Sigma^1_2$-sound.)
    – Trevor Wilson
    Sep 6 '13 at 20:55















up vote
5
down vote

favorite
1












Is there any actual semantic difference between soundness and correctness? Can I use these words interchangeably when talking about formal reasoning, proof, logics, etc.?



Otherwise, is there a specific difference between something that is sound and something that is correct?










share|cite|improve this question



















  • 3




    Soundness is a technical term. Correctness isn't.
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 18:23










  • Does that imply I should avoid using correctness in formal articles? I do see it quite often however... Or simply that soundness is less likely to be understood outside of the formal community?
    – anol
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:42











  • Soundness is the name of a (family of) results. You should not use "correctness" as a substitute. In informal mathematical English, one can say that an argument is correct, or that it is sound. In that context, they are virtual synonyms. But that's a quite different usage than in the Soundness theorem(s).
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:50










  • Correctness is a technical term in some contexts (although maybe not the ones the OP is asking about.) For example, Shoenfield's absoluteness theorem says that the constructible universe $L$ is $Sigma^1_2$-correct (but we would not say that it is $Sigma^1_2$-sound.)
    – Trevor Wilson
    Sep 6 '13 at 20:55













up vote
5
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
5
down vote

favorite
1






1





Is there any actual semantic difference between soundness and correctness? Can I use these words interchangeably when talking about formal reasoning, proof, logics, etc.?



Otherwise, is there a specific difference between something that is sound and something that is correct?










share|cite|improve this question















Is there any actual semantic difference between soundness and correctness? Can I use these words interchangeably when talking about formal reasoning, proof, logics, etc.?



Otherwise, is there a specific difference between something that is sound and something that is correct?







terminology formal-languages proof-theory






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edited Sep 6 '13 at 18:43









rschwieb

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asked Sep 6 '13 at 18:21









anol

1262




1262







  • 3




    Soundness is a technical term. Correctness isn't.
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 18:23










  • Does that imply I should avoid using correctness in formal articles? I do see it quite often however... Or simply that soundness is less likely to be understood outside of the formal community?
    – anol
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:42











  • Soundness is the name of a (family of) results. You should not use "correctness" as a substitute. In informal mathematical English, one can say that an argument is correct, or that it is sound. In that context, they are virtual synonyms. But that's a quite different usage than in the Soundness theorem(s).
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:50










  • Correctness is a technical term in some contexts (although maybe not the ones the OP is asking about.) For example, Shoenfield's absoluteness theorem says that the constructible universe $L$ is $Sigma^1_2$-correct (but we would not say that it is $Sigma^1_2$-sound.)
    – Trevor Wilson
    Sep 6 '13 at 20:55













  • 3




    Soundness is a technical term. Correctness isn't.
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 18:23










  • Does that imply I should avoid using correctness in formal articles? I do see it quite often however... Or simply that soundness is less likely to be understood outside of the formal community?
    – anol
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:42











  • Soundness is the name of a (family of) results. You should not use "correctness" as a substitute. In informal mathematical English, one can say that an argument is correct, or that it is sound. In that context, they are virtual synonyms. But that's a quite different usage than in the Soundness theorem(s).
    – André Nicolas
    Sep 6 '13 at 19:50










  • Correctness is a technical term in some contexts (although maybe not the ones the OP is asking about.) For example, Shoenfield's absoluteness theorem says that the constructible universe $L$ is $Sigma^1_2$-correct (but we would not say that it is $Sigma^1_2$-sound.)
    – Trevor Wilson
    Sep 6 '13 at 20:55








3




3




Soundness is a technical term. Correctness isn't.
– André Nicolas
Sep 6 '13 at 18:23




Soundness is a technical term. Correctness isn't.
– André Nicolas
Sep 6 '13 at 18:23












Does that imply I should avoid using correctness in formal articles? I do see it quite often however... Or simply that soundness is less likely to be understood outside of the formal community?
– anol
Sep 6 '13 at 19:42





Does that imply I should avoid using correctness in formal articles? I do see it quite often however... Or simply that soundness is less likely to be understood outside of the formal community?
– anol
Sep 6 '13 at 19:42













Soundness is the name of a (family of) results. You should not use "correctness" as a substitute. In informal mathematical English, one can say that an argument is correct, or that it is sound. In that context, they are virtual synonyms. But that's a quite different usage than in the Soundness theorem(s).
– André Nicolas
Sep 6 '13 at 19:50




Soundness is the name of a (family of) results. You should not use "correctness" as a substitute. In informal mathematical English, one can say that an argument is correct, or that it is sound. In that context, they are virtual synonyms. But that's a quite different usage than in the Soundness theorem(s).
– André Nicolas
Sep 6 '13 at 19:50












Correctness is a technical term in some contexts (although maybe not the ones the OP is asking about.) For example, Shoenfield's absoluteness theorem says that the constructible universe $L$ is $Sigma^1_2$-correct (but we would not say that it is $Sigma^1_2$-sound.)
– Trevor Wilson
Sep 6 '13 at 20:55





Correctness is a technical term in some contexts (although maybe not the ones the OP is asking about.) For example, Shoenfield's absoluteness theorem says that the constructible universe $L$ is $Sigma^1_2$-correct (but we would not say that it is $Sigma^1_2$-sound.)
– Trevor Wilson
Sep 6 '13 at 20:55











2 Answers
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Usually in logic correctness is a property of sequences/trees of formulas/sequents (depending on the system considered) that express they are valid proofs: that is that they are sequences/trees which are build applying the inference rules of the logic considered.



Soundness is a property of a logic, where by a logic we mean a proof system (i.e. a set of inference rules) and a semantics, basically a logic is sound if every time we have $T vdash varphi$ (that is $varphi$ can be proved by the inference rules from the formulas in $T$) we also have that $T models varphi$ (that is $varphi$ is true in every model of $T$).



So correctness is a concept that belongs to the syntactic setting while soundess links syntax with semantics.



Of course there are other possible use of the term correctness but these use belongs outside the realm of logic (or at least I cannot think of other uses of the word in logics).



Hope this helps.






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    From our Discrete Math course:




    A derivation rule $R$ is correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, $M vdash_R F$ implies $M models F$: $$M vdash_R F Rightarrow M models F.$$
    A calculus (finite set of derivation rules) $K$ is sound or correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, if $F$ can be derived from $M$ then $F$ is also a logical consequence of $M$: $$M vdash_K F Rightarrow M models F.$$
    and $K$ is complete if for every $M$ and $F$, if $F$ is a logical consequence of $M$, then $F$ can also be derived from $M$: $$M models F Rightarrow M vdash_K F.$$




    Therefore, a calculus is sound if and only if every derivation rule is correct.






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      2 Answers
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      2 Answers
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      Usually in logic correctness is a property of sequences/trees of formulas/sequents (depending on the system considered) that express they are valid proofs: that is that they are sequences/trees which are build applying the inference rules of the logic considered.



      Soundness is a property of a logic, where by a logic we mean a proof system (i.e. a set of inference rules) and a semantics, basically a logic is sound if every time we have $T vdash varphi$ (that is $varphi$ can be proved by the inference rules from the formulas in $T$) we also have that $T models varphi$ (that is $varphi$ is true in every model of $T$).



      So correctness is a concept that belongs to the syntactic setting while soundess links syntax with semantics.



      Of course there are other possible use of the term correctness but these use belongs outside the realm of logic (or at least I cannot think of other uses of the word in logics).



      Hope this helps.






      share|cite|improve this answer
























        up vote
        1
        down vote













        Usually in logic correctness is a property of sequences/trees of formulas/sequents (depending on the system considered) that express they are valid proofs: that is that they are sequences/trees which are build applying the inference rules of the logic considered.



        Soundness is a property of a logic, where by a logic we mean a proof system (i.e. a set of inference rules) and a semantics, basically a logic is sound if every time we have $T vdash varphi$ (that is $varphi$ can be proved by the inference rules from the formulas in $T$) we also have that $T models varphi$ (that is $varphi$ is true in every model of $T$).



        So correctness is a concept that belongs to the syntactic setting while soundess links syntax with semantics.



        Of course there are other possible use of the term correctness but these use belongs outside the realm of logic (or at least I cannot think of other uses of the word in logics).



        Hope this helps.






        share|cite|improve this answer






















          up vote
          1
          down vote










          up vote
          1
          down vote









          Usually in logic correctness is a property of sequences/trees of formulas/sequents (depending on the system considered) that express they are valid proofs: that is that they are sequences/trees which are build applying the inference rules of the logic considered.



          Soundness is a property of a logic, where by a logic we mean a proof system (i.e. a set of inference rules) and a semantics, basically a logic is sound if every time we have $T vdash varphi$ (that is $varphi$ can be proved by the inference rules from the formulas in $T$) we also have that $T models varphi$ (that is $varphi$ is true in every model of $T$).



          So correctness is a concept that belongs to the syntactic setting while soundess links syntax with semantics.



          Of course there are other possible use of the term correctness but these use belongs outside the realm of logic (or at least I cannot think of other uses of the word in logics).



          Hope this helps.






          share|cite|improve this answer












          Usually in logic correctness is a property of sequences/trees of formulas/sequents (depending on the system considered) that express they are valid proofs: that is that they are sequences/trees which are build applying the inference rules of the logic considered.



          Soundness is a property of a logic, where by a logic we mean a proof system (i.e. a set of inference rules) and a semantics, basically a logic is sound if every time we have $T vdash varphi$ (that is $varphi$ can be proved by the inference rules from the formulas in $T$) we also have that $T models varphi$ (that is $varphi$ is true in every model of $T$).



          So correctness is a concept that belongs to the syntactic setting while soundess links syntax with semantics.



          Of course there are other possible use of the term correctness but these use belongs outside the realm of logic (or at least I cannot think of other uses of the word in logics).



          Hope this helps.







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Sep 1 at 15:50









          Giorgio Mossa

          13.4k11748




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              up vote
              0
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              From our Discrete Math course:




              A derivation rule $R$ is correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, $M vdash_R F$ implies $M models F$: $$M vdash_R F Rightarrow M models F.$$
              A calculus (finite set of derivation rules) $K$ is sound or correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, if $F$ can be derived from $M$ then $F$ is also a logical consequence of $M$: $$M vdash_K F Rightarrow M models F.$$
              and $K$ is complete if for every $M$ and $F$, if $F$ is a logical consequence of $M$, then $F$ can also be derived from $M$: $$M models F Rightarrow M vdash_K F.$$




              Therefore, a calculus is sound if and only if every derivation rule is correct.






              share|cite|improve this answer
























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                From our Discrete Math course:




                A derivation rule $R$ is correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, $M vdash_R F$ implies $M models F$: $$M vdash_R F Rightarrow M models F.$$
                A calculus (finite set of derivation rules) $K$ is sound or correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, if $F$ can be derived from $M$ then $F$ is also a logical consequence of $M$: $$M vdash_K F Rightarrow M models F.$$
                and $K$ is complete if for every $M$ and $F$, if $F$ is a logical consequence of $M$, then $F$ can also be derived from $M$: $$M models F Rightarrow M vdash_K F.$$




                Therefore, a calculus is sound if and only if every derivation rule is correct.






                share|cite|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  From our Discrete Math course:




                  A derivation rule $R$ is correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, $M vdash_R F$ implies $M models F$: $$M vdash_R F Rightarrow M models F.$$
                  A calculus (finite set of derivation rules) $K$ is sound or correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, if $F$ can be derived from $M$ then $F$ is also a logical consequence of $M$: $$M vdash_K F Rightarrow M models F.$$
                  and $K$ is complete if for every $M$ and $F$, if $F$ is a logical consequence of $M$, then $F$ can also be derived from $M$: $$M models F Rightarrow M vdash_K F.$$




                  Therefore, a calculus is sound if and only if every derivation rule is correct.






                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  From our Discrete Math course:




                  A derivation rule $R$ is correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, $M vdash_R F$ implies $M models F$: $$M vdash_R F Rightarrow M models F.$$
                  A calculus (finite set of derivation rules) $K$ is sound or correct if for every set $M$ of formulas and for every formula $F$, if $F$ can be derived from $M$ then $F$ is also a logical consequence of $M$: $$M vdash_K F Rightarrow M models F.$$
                  and $K$ is complete if for every $M$ and $F$, if $F$ is a logical consequence of $M$, then $F$ can also be derived from $M$: $$M models F Rightarrow M vdash_K F.$$




                  Therefore, a calculus is sound if and only if every derivation rule is correct.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Aug 2 at 4:54









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