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87 changes: 87 additions & 0 deletions GLOSSARY.adoc
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// SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
= Absolute Zero — Glossary
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Cross-reference glossary for link:README.adoc[README.adoc], link:EXPLAINME.adoc[EXPLAINME.adoc], and the `absolute-zero` wiki.

== The two pillars

[[cno]]
CNO (Certified Null Effect)::
A program that does nothing to the world: terminates, maps input state to identical output state, is pure, and is thermodynamically reversible. The conserved quantity is state.
*Classification:* **novel assembly** (standard concepts combined into this specific 4-field record).

[[ond]]
OND (Observational Null Disclosure)::
A program that reveals nothing about its secret input to a declared observer: its observable trace is constant over the secret, relative to a declared observation model `O`. The conserved quantity is the secret-to-observable channel.
*Classification:* **novel formalisation**.

[[coupling-dial]]
Coupling dial::
The conceptual connection between CNO (a thing) and OND (the trace it casts). Framing, not theorem.
*Classification:* **project-specific** (vocabulary).

== CNO concepts

[[is-cno]]
IsCNO(p)::
The core predicate: `Terminates(p, σ) ∧ FinalState(p, σ) = σ ∧ NoSideEffects(p) ∧ ThermodynamicallyReversible(p)`.
*Classification:* **project-specific** (formalisation).

[[landauer-principle]]
Landauer's principle::
Erasing one bit of information dissipates at least `kT ln 2` of energy. A CNO erases no information, hence dissipates zero energy.
*Classification:* **standard** (Landauer 1961).

[[reversible-computing]]
Reversible computing::
Computation that can be undone with zero energy cost (Bennett 1973). A required field of `IsCNO`.
*Classification:* **standard** (Bennett 1973).

== OND concepts

[[observation-model]]
Observation model (O)::
The declared set of observables (timing, size, output) that an OND proof reasons about. An OND certificate is valid *only* relative to `O`.
*Classification:* **project-specific**.

[[residue-list]]
Residue list::
The explicit list of out-of-scope observables shipped with every OND claim. The honest boundary between the proof and the physical metal.
*Classification:* **project-specific**.

[[ond-6]]
OND-6 (conditional composition)::
The open research capstone: composing OND-certified operations under conditions. OND-1..5 are proved; OND-6 is deferred.
*Classification:* **project-specific** (open problem).

== Proof engineering

[[axiom-vs-qed]]
Axiom vs. Qed::
In this repo, "Qed" means the proof is discharged in the prover. "Axiom" means an unproven assumption is introduced. A theorem with 0 Admitted but 61 Axioms is machine-checked *relative to those axioms*, not axiom-free.
*Classification:* **standard** (proof engineering terminology).

[[multi-prover]]
Multi-prover cross-validation::
Verifying the same mathematical claim in independent proof systems (Coq, Lean, Agda, Z3, Isabelle, Mizar) to increase confidence.
*Classification:* **standard** (methodology).

== Pronunciation guide

[cols="1,2", options="header"]
|===
| Written | Spoken

| CNO
| "see-en-oh"

| OND
| "oh-en-dee"

| IsCNO
| "is-see-en-oh"
|===
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