Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

garbage-in-garbage-out

phrase
/ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ ɪn ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ aʊt/
Definition
A principle that suggests that the quality of output is determined by the quality of the input.
Examples
  • In software development, it’s crucial to ensure that your data is accurate; otherwise, you’ll experience garbage-in-garbage-out.
  • Many businesses fail to analyze their data correctly, leading to garbage-in-garbage-out scenarios.
  • Implementing strict data validation can help prevent garbage-in-garbage-out situations.
Meaning
If you input poor quality data, you will get poor quality results. This is often referred to in contexts like computer science, data processing, and decision making.
Synonyms
  • input-output principle
  • data quality
  • flawed process