Software delivery

Formatting & Linting

Also called: Code Formatting · Code Linting

The short version

A formatter makes code look consistent; a linter checks code for suspicious patterns and agreed rules.

A tidy layout and an extra check

A formatter can arrange spacing, indentation, and line breaks so developers do not have to settle those details by hand. A linter reads source code and flags things such as an unused value or a rule the team has agreed to follow.

Both can run automatically in a CI/CD pipeline. A clean result makes code easier to review and may catch some mistakes, but it does not prove the software behaves correctly. Teams still need tests and human review.