Glossary
This glossary provides definitions for terms, acronyms, and concepts used throughout the ThinkCode platform and documentation. Use this reference to clarify unfamiliar terminology or to gain a deeper understanding of specific features and technologies.
A
AI Assistant
An integrated artificial intelligence tool within ThinkCode that helps developers write, understand, and debug code through natural language interaction.
AI Models
The underlying machine learning algorithms that power ThinkCode's AI capabilities, trained on programming languages, coding patterns, and software engineering principles.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of rules and protocols that allow different software applications to communicate with each other.
AST (Abstract Syntax Tree)
A tree representation of the abstract syntactic structure of source code, used by ThinkCode for accurate code understanding and transformation.
Auto-Completion
Feature that predicts and suggests code as you type, reducing typing effort and helping avoid syntax errors.
B
Breakpoint
A designated point in your code where execution will pause during debugging.
Branch
In version control systems, a branch represents an independent line of development that allows developers to work on features or fixes in isolation.
Build
The process of converting source code files into standalone software that can be run on a computer.
C
CLI (Command Line Interface)
A text-based interface used to interact with ThinkCode through typed commands.
Code Lens
Interactive annotations displayed in your editor that provide contextual information and actions related to your code.
Code Refactoring
The process of restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior to improve its internal structure.
Code Snippets
Reusable pieces of code that can be inserted into your project to avoid repetitive typing.
Command Palette
A searchable interface in ThinkCode that provides access to all available commands and actions (Ctrl+Shift+P or ⌘+Shift+P).
Context Awareness
ThinkCode's ability to understand the programming context, including file structure, code dependencies, and semantic meaning of the code.
D
Debugger
A tool that allows developers to step through code execution, inspect variables, and identify issues.
Dependency
An external library or package that your code relies on to function properly.
Diagnostics
Information about problems or potential issues in your code, such as errors, warnings, or hints.
Diff View
A side-by-side comparison that shows the differences between two versions of a file.
E
Editor Group
A section of the editor area that contains one or more editors. ThinkCode allows multiple editor groups to view different files side by side.
Extension
A plugin that adds new features or functionality to ThinkCode.
Extension Host
A separate process where ThinkCode extensions run to ensure stability of the main application.
F
Formatter
A tool that automatically adjusts your code to conform to specified style guidelines.
G
Git
A distributed version control system for tracking changes in source code during software development.
Git Integration
ThinkCode's built-in support for Git operations like commit, push, pull, and branch management.
I
IntelliSense
Code completion aid that provides context-aware suggestions as you type.
Interactive Window
A workspace where you can execute code snippets and see results inline, commonly used for languages like Python and JavaScript.
J
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
A lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate.
K
Keybinding
A keyboard shortcut assigned to a specific command or action in ThinkCode.
L
Language Server Protocol (LSP)
A protocol that defines communication between code editors or IDEs and language servers that provide language-specific features.
Linter
A static code analysis tool that identifies programming errors, bugs, stylistic errors, and suspicious constructs.
Live Share
A feature that enables real-time collaborative editing and debugging with team members.
M
Markdown
A lightweight markup language used for creating formatted text using a plain-text editor.
Minimap
A condensed preview of your code file shown on the side of the editor for quick navigation.
Multi-cursor Editing
The ability to place multiple cursors in different locations to edit multiple parts of a file simultaneously.
P
Peek
A feature that shows a definition or reference inline without leaving your current context.
Plugin
See "Extension".
Preview
A real-time rendering of certain file types (like markdown or HTML) as you edit.
Project
A collection of files and folders that make up a software application or library.
Q
Quick Fix
An automated solution to common code issues that can be applied with a single click.
R
Remote Development
The ability to use a development environment located on a remote machine or container.
Repository
A storage location for a project that includes its files, history, and configuration.
S
Semantic Highlighting
Code coloring based on symbol types and scope information rather than just syntax.
Settings Sync
A feature that synchronizes ThinkCode settings, extensions, and configurations across different devices.
Snippet
A template that can be inserted into your code, often including placeholders for customization.
Source Control
Management of changes to code, documents, or other information stored in files.
Stack Trace
A report of the active stack frames at a certain point in time during program execution, used for debugging.
Symbol
A named entity in code, such as a variable, function, class, or method.
T
Task
A configurable unit of work in ThinkCode, such as building an application, running tests, or deploying code.
Terminal
An integrated command-line interface within ThinkCode for executing commands without leaving the editor.
Test Explorer
An interface for discovering, running, and debugging tests in your project.
ThinkCode Context
The collection of information about your code, project structure, and environment that ThinkCode uses to provide intelligent assistance.
ThinkCode Extension API
A set of programming interfaces allowing developers to extend ThinkCode's functionality.
ThinkCode Settings
Configurable options that control the behavior and appearance of ThinkCode.
Tokenization
The process of breaking source code into tokens, which are the minimal units of meaning, such as keywords, identifiers, or operators.
V
Version Control
A system that records changes to files over time so specific versions can be recalled later.
Virtual Environment
An isolated environment containing a specific Python installation and packages, independent from other environments.
Visibility
The scope in which a variable, function, or class can be accessed in your code.
W
Workspace
A collection of one or more folders opened in ThinkCode, along with their settings and state.
Watch Expression
A variable or expression that is monitored during debugging to track its value changes.
Z
Zen Mode
A distraction-free view that hides all UI elements except the editor for focused coding.
Technical Concepts
CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment)
Development practices that involve automatically building, testing, and deploying code changes.
DOM (Document Object Model)
A programming interface for web documents that represents the page as a tree structure.
REST API (Representational State Transfer)
An architectural style for designing networked applications, commonly used for web services.
TypeScript
A typed superset of JavaScript that compiles to plain JavaScript, providing better tooling and error prevention.
WebAssembly
A binary instruction format that enables high-performance execution of code in web browsers.
WebSockets
A communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection.
Accessibility Terminology
Screen Reader
Assistive technology that reads text and UI elements aloud for visually impaired users.
High Contrast Theme
A color theme designed to maximize the contrast between foreground and background elements for better visibility.
Keyboard Navigation
The ability to use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate the interface, essential for accessibility.
ThinkCode-Specific Features
AI-Powered Code Generation
ThinkCode's capability to automatically generate code snippets or entire functions based on natural language descriptions or comments.
Code Time Machine
A feature that allows exploring the history and evolution of code over time with integrated visualizations.
Context-Aware AI
ThinkCode's AI system that takes into account the full context of your project, including file relationships, imported libraries, and coding patterns.
Extension Marketplace
A centralized repository of plugins and extensions that can be installed to enhance ThinkCode's functionality.
Live Collaboration
Real-time collaborative coding features that allow multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously.
Performance Profiler
A built-in tool that helps identify performance bottlenecks in your application.
Smart Navigation
AI-enhanced code navigation that understands relationships between code components and allows semantic movement through the codebase.
ThinkCode Cloud
Cloud-based services that extend ThinkCode's capabilities, including remote development, shared AI models, and collaboration features.