4 ms·

Naive question: how does double-entry accounting help computer accouting systems?

• inopinatus 5y ago
  It’s the original CRDT.
• OJFord 5y ago
  Everything is accounted for, you can't accidentally (or 'accidentally') have money come from or go nowhere, since it must balance - account1 going up by a pound is matched to account2 going down a pound.
  • kzrdude 5y ago
    (Serious question) Why don't we see money-out-of-nowhere bugs in banks? How do they ensure they don't happen? Even maliciously, for that reason.
    • OJFord 5y ago
      Well we've done the (more direct) question and answer in reverse here really! Balancing is one part of the answer (I think it would be fair to say it doesn't necessarily have to be - or at least not obviously look like - double-entry). You could argue immutable (append-only) records help too - no amendments only additional corrective records. I've never worked in a bank btw so pinch of salt etc., just have a bit of an interest and fiddle on and off with a related project.