{"id":"compare-returns-four-states","text":"`VectorClock.compare` returns exactly one of `BEFORE`, `AFTER`, `EQUAL`, or `CONCURRENT`, implementing the partial order defined by component-wise comparison.","truth_value":"IN","source":"entries/2026/05/29/vector-clocks-vector_clock.md","source_url":"","source_hash":"","justifications":[],"dependents":[],"metadata":{"example":"def compare(self, other):\n    # Returns \"BEFORE\", \"AFTER\", \"EQUAL\", or \"CONCURRENT\"\n    if has_less and has_greater: return \"CONCURRENT\"\n    if has_less: return \"BEFORE\"\n    if has_greater: return \"AFTER\"\n    return \"EQUAL\""},"explanation":{"steps":[{"node":"compare-returns-four-states","truth_value":"IN","reason":"premise"}]}}