The basic format of structured proofs is surprisingly similar to how middle-school math typically teaches students to write proofs, the "two-column proof" structure. A proof is a sequence of numbered statements in the left column, each of which has to be justified by reasons noted in the right column, which are either appeals to a previous numbered statement, or to a named theorem/lemma already introduced in the textbook. Instead of using the second column, Lamport instead writes "PROOF: ..." and gives the justification below each numbered statement, but it otherwise seems quite similar.
I really wanted to watch this, but the video is unwatchable, it keeps buffering every few seconds, and the slides aren't showing at all. Many thanks to pron for linking the paper. Message to http://www.heidelberg-laureate-forum.org/ and all others who persist in using video players that don't work: maybe try youtube?
Same. What a shame... I think I'll try to watch it this way but it's so frustrating.
edit: damn, now the video just stops. not buffering (AFAICT), just... stopped. And lastly, I couldn't un-fullscreen the video. What a truly awful user experience.
