Proof-driven development

Prove properties from requirements before writing code. Proofs guide implementation, not the reverse. Zero unproven properties in final code.

Modern insight (2025): PBT + example tests pairing is the standard -- properties discover edge cases, example tests prevent regressions and serve as documentation. Counterexamples from shrinking should always become permanent regression tests. AI-assisted PBT (Anthropic 2025) can generate properties from docstrings, but human judgment for property selection remains essential.

See frameworks for language-specific PBT and stateful testing tools. See examples for brief property test patterns per language. See formal-tools for theorem provers and bounded model checkers.

Property Categories