"Teaching to unsuspecting youngsters the effective use of formal methods is one of the joys of life because it is so extremely rewarding"

Edsger Dijkstra’s reflection captures the deep fulfillment that accompanies introducing formal methods to students who are new to the discipline. Formal methods refer to the rigorous mathematical techniques and logical reasoning used to specify, develop, and verify systems, primarily in computer science and software engineering. For many young students, the realm of formal logic and systematic thought is initially an unfamiliar terrain. They may be more accustomed to practical programming, heuristics, or trial-and-error approaches. By guiding these learners through the intellectual landscape of formal methods, an educator not only demystifies abstract concepts but also equips students with powerful tools for problem-solving and software correctness.

The satisfaction is heightened by the students’ initial lack of expectation; their surprise at discovering the clarity and robustness formal methods offer becomes a fresh source of energy for the instructor. Watching a young person experience the moment when abstract rules and structures reveal their practical utility is uniquely gratifying. As learners grasp the ability to reason about programs with mathematical certainty, to construct proofs of correctness, and to design systems less prone to ambiguous errors, their intellectual horizons are broadened. They become empowered, capable of producing reliable, maintainable, and trustworthy software systems.

Moreover, the process fosters qualities such as precision, disciplined thinking, and an appreciation for beauty in simplicity and correctness. It encourages learners to move beyond surface-level understanding toward deeper insights. The ripple effects extend further: students equipped with formal methods enrich the wider field, potentially innovating and pushing the discipline forward. For the teacher, witnessing this transformation is rewarding not simply because it is a pedagogical success, but because it contributes to the cultivation of a new generation of thinkers, able to advance both theory and practice. Dijkstra found great joy in this process, seeing it not simply as teaching, but as unlocking a more profound way of engaging with the world’s logical foundations.