garbage in, garbage out

Cultural  

1. This saying points out the fact that a computer can do only what it is programmed to do and is only as good as the data it receives and the instructions it is given. If there is a logical error in software, or if incorrect data are entered, the result will probably be either a wrong answer or a system crash.

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The saying is sometimes shortened to “GIGO” (GUY-go).

Example Sentences

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garbage in, garbage out

Artificial so-called intelligence is hardly immune to a dynamic that computer experts long ago dubbed "GIGO" — garbage in, garbage out.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2023

We know already that although machine learning has huge potential, data sets with ingrained biases will produce biased results — garbage in, garbage out.

From The Verge ● Apr. 13, 2018

“It’s a classic garbage in, garbage out thing,” said Dan Gainor, vice president of business and culture for the conservative Media Research Center.

From Washington Times ● May 16, 2016

It became a classic case of garbage in, garbage out.

From Slate ● Dec. 9, 2014

Uh, hello – the computer industry has had a term for this for many years: it’s known as garbage in, garbage out.

From Forbes ● Nov. 3, 2014