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Leslie Lamport: Thinking Above the Code

Microsoft Research · talk · Watch on YouTube

Logic & formal methodsDistributed systemsSoftware architecture & design

What it is

Leslie Lamport argues that programmers, like architects, should write rigorous specifications before coding, especially for concurrent and distributed systems. The talk introduces the case for writing specs (the TLA+ mindset) as a way of thinking above the code.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN points people to it as Lamport's own case for thinking and writing a spec before coding, and as an entry point to TLA+.

  • 5 people recommended it
  • 5 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2015, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “in this case the best content comes from Lamport himself, and he's presented it as a YouTube Course.”

    Best starting point for learning TLA+, from Lamport himself

    b_fiive, 2022-09 · Strong recommendation · in “Learn TLA+”

  2. “If you want a brief introduction to the ideas try some of Leslie Lamports talks on TLA+”

    Brief introduction to TLA+ and formal specification ideas from Lamport

    agentultra, 2016-03 · Recommendation · in “Reflections on Programming”

  3. “He's just saying that you should think before you code and that most specifications should be just a few sentences stating what you intend to do.”

    Lamport argues to think and specify before coding

    discreteevent, 2017-09 · Recommendation · in “Programmers who want to change how we code before catastrophe strikes”

  4. “Anything Leslie Lamport”

    Lamport talk offered among distributed systems learning resources

    kediz, 2020-06 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: What are some good videos on real implementations of distributed systems”

  5. “Write down a small model of what you are about to build before building it.”

    Lamport's approach: model before building, use math and TLA+

    gobdovan, 2026-05 · Recommendation · in “Mythical Man Month”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: tla+, specification, leslie lamport, distributed systems, software design

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