What is a method signature versus a method specification and contract?

Answer 1, authority 100%

Translated from docs.oracle.com :

Definition. The two components of a method declaration include the signature
method – method name and parameters .

An example of the method described above:

calculateAnswer(double, int, double, double)

The method signature combined with the return type is called the method contract .

The specification of a method can be thought of as the documentation for the method.

Outcome:

public voidmoveTo(int x, int y)throws IOException– signature

public void moveTo(int x, int y) throws IOException– contract

Specification –

/**
 * Method - Description of the method
 * @param int x - description of parameter
 * @param int y - description of parameter
 * @return int - description of the return value
 **/
 int moveTo(int x, int y){...}  

Answer 2, authority 33%

The signature of a method is the name of the method plus the parameters (where the order of the parameters matters). The method signature does not include the return value or the exceptions it throws.

Answer 3, authority 33%

All code that describes a method is called a method declaration. The method signature includes the method name and parameter types in a specific order.
The method signature includes:

• Namespace and Class
• Method identifier
• Order, type, modifiers (ref, out) of parameters
  But does not include:
• Return type
• The static modifier
  The specification of a methodology is understood as a combination of a list of tools and methods used in the specifics of the organization’s activities, from the side of the theory and practice of development, including prototyping. A methodology is a format for combining methods, tools and technologies used throughout the entire life cycle of the software development and prototyping process in an organization.