Algtingimus

Algtingimus is a term used to denote a condition that must be satisfied for something to be valid, legitimate, or executable. It functions as a prerequisite or precondition in various fields, including logic, mathematics, computer science and everyday reasoning. In logic and mathematics, algtingimus describes a prerequisite for applying a rule, theorem, or construction; without the algtingimus the conclusion may not hold. In computer science, a function or method specifies its precondition as part of a contract: it guarantees correct behavior only when the precondition is true; otherwise the result may be undefined or an error occurs. A common example is that the precondition of taking a square root is that the input is nonnegative. In the context of solving differential equations, an initial condition, sometimes treated as an algtingimus, sets the starting values, such as y(0) = y0, which is necessary to determine a unique solution.

The term emphasizes the forward-facing requirement rather than the result. It is distinct from a postcondition, which states what must hold after an operation, and from loose assumptions or hypotheses. The word combines Estonian alg- meaning beginning with tingimus meaning condition. See also precondition, initial condition, and postcondition.