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Library / Practices / pat.never-manufacture-an-update

Silence is a valid result

CategoryreliabilityManual3.9Evidencedocumented

ProblemA listener with nothing to report will invent something to fill the slot.

TechniqueInstruct it: if there is nothing, say nothing today and stop; never manufacture an update.

Why it worksIt is the difference between a useful listener and waking up to a confidently fabricated report.

When to useEvery watcher and every scheduled digest.

When not toNever on its own; pair it with the report-your-inputs rule or it creates a silent failure hole.

reliabilityhigh confidenceno source URLpat.never-manufacture-an-update

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