A predicate in the conditional verb form describes a condition that if it is fulfilled, a second predicate, the result, will happen.
The result is tightly bound to the condition; it doesn’t mean the result can happen if the condition is fulfilled, it means it will or does happen.
It is quite formal and is often found in written texts, but can still be quite common in the spoken language.
Similar expressions
With ～と, there is also a sense of inevitability that once the condition is fulfilled, the result will always happen, so it can be used for general truths.
ボタンを押すと、コーヒーが出ます。
If you push the button, the coffee will come out.
However, ～と can’t be used for