← Glossary
What does "lint" mean in programming?
lint is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
Static analysis of source code to flag programming errors, stylistic issues, and suspicious constructs without running the code. A linter enforces coding standards automatically. Common linters: ESLint (JavaScript), ruff (Python), golangci-lint (Go).
Example
"The lint step is failing because of unused imports. Fix them before the CI can proceed."
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| lint | verb (infinitive) | To run a linter tool to check code for style and quality issues | "Run the linter before committing." |
| linting | gerund | The process of checking code with a linter | "The CI pipeline fails if linting errors are found." |
Related terms
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