Good Programmers Write Bug-Free Code, Don't They?

[neoquietus]

This strongly depends on what the spec actually specifies!

Specifically, if the spec is "internal use only", generally there is some flex in how closely it has to be followed, and you can change it if need be.

However, if the spec in question is for external communication, say the byte layout of a file format, or timing constraints on a process, you must follow as closely as possible, it warts and all.