In the case of binary formats, the application of Postel's "Law" is in practice only a workaround, used when there existed multiple different interpretations of

In the case of binary formats, the application of Postel's "Law" is in practice only a workaround, used when there existed multiple different interpretations of a vague standard. If the standard had been defined properly in the first place, workarounds wouldn't have been needed. I've seen Postel's Law being made official recommendation even — in an addendum document to a standard. The addendum got published only because the situation had become a mess.