Definition
Plain language
A tool that scans written code for mistakes by reading the code itself, without running it.
As stated in the literature
A static analysis tool that inspects source code for stylistic and structural issues; being purely syntactic, it cannot detect runtime logic errors that leave no trace in the source form.
Also called: linters
Why it matters: It catches sloppy or broken code early and cheaply, though it can miss bugs that only show up when the program actually runs.
For example, a linter can flag an unused variable or a missing bracket the moment you save the file, before you ever run the program.
Heard on the show
“… admit that modern models seldom make structural mistakes — which makes layer one, the compiler-style linter, less useful than you'd hope, and makes some of the framework hard to evaluate beyond targeted case …”Episode 122 — When Your Coding Agent Lies About the Fix: Verifying the Plan Before the Model Runs