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About this quote

What does it mean?
Computer sorting can introduce errors in indices.
In plain terms
Computers make mistakes too.
What can you take from it?
Check computer-processed data for errors.

Where it applies

  • indexing
  • publishing
  • data entry

Putting it to work

  • manual review
  • spot check
  • proofreading

Questions to consider

  • When did a tool fail you?
  • How do you check work?

Another view

Human errors are often more common.

More from Donald Knuth

  1. The sun comes up just about as often as it goes down, in the long run, but this doesn't make its motion random.

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  2. A list is only as strong as its weakest link.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. An algorithm must be seen to be believed.

    Permalink to quote #11

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