Treating Code as Machine Code: The Shift to Spec-Driven Engineering
Software engineering is shifting from a code-centric discipline to a specification-centric one where AI handles the implementation and humans manage the requirements.
Executable Specifications
The practice of writing machine-checkable specifications that define the intended behavior of a system, enabling automated verification and serving as a precise contract between design and implementation.
Reading List
Achieving Reliable LLM Coding via Executable Oracles
Reliable LLM coding requires using automated tools to eliminate the model's freedom to make poor implementation choices.
The Myth of Specification-Generated Code
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Detailed specifications are just another form of code, and using AI to bridge the gap between vague specs and working software is a recipe for unreliable 'slop.'
Guardrailing AI with Executable Specs
Executable specifications provide a deterministic 'reality check' for AI-generated code, transforming LLMs from unreliable authors into efficient translators for complex systems.