Let me define pseudo-math to be the approach of making a few mathematical definitions and then proving only some trivial "theorems."
Theorem. The Darc's theory of patches is pseudo-math.
Proof. By definition. QED
Theorem. The Darc's theory of patches is pseudo-math.
Proof. By definition. QED
"""I think a little background on the author is in order. I am a physicist, and think like a physicist. The proofs and theorems given here are what I would call ``physicist'' proofs and theorems, which is to say that while the proofs may not be rigorous, they are practical, and the theorems are intended to give physical insight. It would be great to have a mathematician work on this to give patch theory better formalized foundations."""
Which translates to: you know what, we both know this is all pretty much correct and if you think you need to spend a couple more hours (or days) setting down the mathematical foundations in excruciating detail be my guest, but I'd rather read a thousand papers on string theory.
I mean, I pretty much agree. After all, I studied computer science. We make physicists look pretty rigorous.
I'm working on finishing my Mathematics degree and proofs are much more vigorous.
That takes nothing away from darcs as a piece of software, though. You don't have to understand the theory in order to use the tool, and it really introduces a revolutionary way of thinking about version control.