Compiler
The cheapest and most certain sensor. Is this thing even a valid inhabitant of the language? If not, everything else is noise.
A compiler doesn’t just check syntax — it resolves imports, validates module structure, and produces an artifact. If the compiler fails, no downstream sensor can run. This makes it the foundation of the confidence stack: every other sensor assumes compilation succeeded.
Sensor properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Oracle strength | Maximum — the implementation cannot argue |
| Independence | Maximum — the compiler is external to the code |
| Scope | Module-level |
| Feedback latency | Milliseconds |
| Actionability | Guiding — exact error location and message |
| Type | Predictive |
What it cannot detect
A compiler cannot detect logical errors — a function that compiles perfectly but returns the wrong answer. It also cannot detect architectural problems or runtime behavior.