If the specs are written in a language that can be understood by a computer, the computer can be used to prove assertions about the spec (will it function correctly? does it contain any internal inconsistencies?).<p>More information on formal methods can be found here:<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Formal_methods" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Formal_methods</a><p>The formal specification language referenced in the article, TLA+, is described here:<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;TLA%2B" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;TLA%2B</a><p>Here are some interesting comments from an earlier submission of this article:<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=8096185" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;news.ycombinator.com&#x2F;item?id=8096185</a>