Formalització

Formalització (formalization) is the process of making a system, procedure, or concept explicit and governed by formal rules, often expressed in a formal language or notation. The goal is to reduce ambiguity, increase precision, and enable analysis, verification, or automation.

Formalisation is applied across disciplines. In mathematics and logic, theories are formalized within axiom systems and rigorous proof frameworks. In computer science, formal languages, specifications, and models describe software, protocols, and hardware; examples include Z, VDM, Petri nets, and process calculi. In linguistics, formal grammars and automata describe syntax; in law or administration, procedures and contracts may be codified to standardize practice.

The process typically involves choosing a suitable formal language, defining the objects of study, specifying relations and rules, and deriving consequences or verifying properties. It often requires abstraction and precise notation, as well as documentation to support understanding and reuse.

Benefits include greater accuracy, repeatability, and interoperability across systems. Limitations include potential over-abstraction, loss of tacit or contextual knowledge, and the effort required to develop and maintain formal representations. Critics argue that formalization should balance rigor with practicality.