On the relationship between proof writing and programming: Some conclusions for teaching future software developers

Abstract

The analogy between proving theorems and writing computer programs has been debated for a long time. In a recent paper, Calude and others [5] argue that - albeit mentioned analogy seems to exist - the role of proof in mathematical modeling (and hence programming) is very small. Describing the act of proving and the act of writing a computational program with the help of the SECI model, a model used widely to describe knowledge creation processes, it can be argued that the thought processes needed for both activities complement each other. This fact can then be used to justify a sound and rigorous training in proof writing for the programmer and future software developer. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.