GIGO
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer
| Stands for | Garbage in, garbage out |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
GIGO stands for Garbage in, garbage out, a computer abbreviation.
Principle that a computer's output can be no better than the data and instructions it receives: flawed input produces flawed results, however sophisticated the processing. It is cited in data analysis, forecasting, statistics and machine learning.
Example: The forecast missed because half the sales data was duplicated; classic GIGO.
Usage notes
The phrase dates to at least the late 1950s and is often credited to IBM instructor George Fuechsel. Pronounced "GUY-go" or "GEE-go". A cynical variant, "garbage in, gospel out", criticizes people who trust computer output uncritically simply because a machine produced it.
Related abbreviations
More computer abbreviations
- Esc – Escape key
- exFAT – Extended File Allocation Table
- ext4 – Fourth extended file system
- FAT – File Allocation Table
- FAT32 – File Allocation Table, 32-bit
- Fn – Function key (modifier)
- GPO – Group Policy Object
- GPT – GUID Partition Table
- GUI – Graphical user interface
- HCI – Human-computer interaction
- HFS+ – Hierarchical File System Plus
- HPC – High-performance computing