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Formal Foundations for the Single Source of Truth Principle

Abstract

Any system encoding facts faces a fundamental constraint: when multiple independent locations encode the same fact, truth becomes indeterminate. We prove that DOF = 1 (Single Source of Truth) is the unique representation guaranteeing coherence, the impossibility of disagreement among encodings. The Core Theorem (Oracle Arbitrariness). In any incoherent encoding system (DOF > 1 with divergent values), no resolution is principled: for ANY oracle claiming to identify the "true" value, there exists an equally-present value that disagrees. This is not about inconvenience. It is about the determinacy of truth. Software as Instance. Programming languages instantiate this epistemic structure: Encoding systems → CodebasesFacts → Structural specifications (class existence, method signatures)Coherence → Consistency across encoding locationsDOF = 1 → Single Source of Truth (DRY principle)We prove that achieving DOF = 1 for structural facts requires specific language features: definition-time hooks AND introspectable derivation. Most mainstream languages (Java, C++, Rust, Go, TypeScript, etc.) lack these features and cannot achieve coherence for structural facts regardless of programmer effort. Four Theorems: Coherence Forcing: DOF = 1 is the unique value guaranteeing coherence. DOF = 0 means the fact is unrepresented; DOF > 1 permits incoherent states.Oracle Arbitrariness: Under incoherence, any resolution is arbitrary, no oracle is justified by the encodings alone.Language Requirements: For structural facts in software, DOF = 1 requires definition-time hooks AND introspection. These are logically forced.Strict Dominance: The coherence restoration complexity gap is unbounded: O(1) vs Ω(n).Theoretical Foundation. The derivation theory (independence, derivability, axis collapse) is established in previous work (https://zenodo.org/records/18123532). This paper proves the coherence consequences and instantiates them to programming languages. All theorems machine-checked in Lean 4 (2,104 lines, 119 theorems). Practical demonstration via OpenHCS PR #44: migration from 47 scattered checks to 1 ABC (DOF 47 → 1).

Keywords

formal methods, language design, Single Source of Truth, epistemic coherence, encoding systems

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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