Informal Specifications
Informal specifications are non-formal, often natural language descriptions of software requirements, behavior, or design that are used to communicate intent without strict mathematical or formal notation. They serve as a preliminary or high-level guide for development, typically in early project stages, to outline functionality, constraints, and goals in a way that is accessible to stakeholders. Unlike formal specifications, they rely on human interpretation and may include diagrams, prose, or examples to convey ideas.
Developers should learn and use informal specifications when collaborating with non-technical teams, such as clients or business analysts, to quickly capture and refine requirements before detailed design or coding begins. They are particularly useful in agile or iterative development environments where flexibility and rapid feedback are prioritized, helping to align expectations and reduce misunderstandings early in the project lifecycle. However, they should be complemented with more formal methods as projects scale to ensure precision and avoid ambiguity.