Question
Answer and Explanation
ErrorCascade, like many code analysis and editing tools, typically operates on files as they are stored on disk, not as they exist in your text editor's unsaved buffer. There are several key reasons for this limitation:
1. Access to the File System: ErrorCascade needs a stable and consistent view of the code to perform its analysis. This is usually obtained directly from the file system. Unsaved changes exist only in the editor's memory and are not readily accessible to external applications like ErrorCascade without specific integration.
2. Complexity of Editor Integration: Integrating with various editors' unsaved change buffers would require a significant amount of custom code for each supported editor (e.g., VSCode, Sublime Text, Atom, Vim). This complexity would make ErrorCascade much harder to maintain and extend.
3. Performance Considerations: Tracking unsaved changes in real-time and analyzing them could introduce performance overhead, especially with larger projects. Reading files from the disk provides a performance advantage since the tool doesn’t need to keep track of each unsaved change in real-time.
4. Version Control Challenges: If ErrorCascade were to use unsaved changes, it could potentially conflict with version control systems. Edits would be based on a state that's not in version control, which could lead to confusing situations when trying to commit or revert changes. By sticking to the state on disk, the tool aligns with VCS principles.
5. Predictable Behavior: By operating only on saved files, the behavior of ErrorCascade becomes more predictable and reliable. Users can have more trust in how changes are generated. Analyzing disk files ensures a consistent source of truth, and makes it less likely for the program to fail due to partial, uncommitted changes.
6. Focus on Stable Code: ErrorCascade aims to propose edits that can be integrated smoothly into the project's codebase. Working only with saved files helps ensure the code is more stable and less likely to contain temporary, incomplete changes. This allows the tool to be used more effectively in a collaborative environment where files on disk reflect the committed code.
7. Simplified Architecture: Building a system that relies on saved file states simplifies the internal architecture of the tool, making it easier to develop, test, and deploy. It also helps in the isolation of problems, since it is easier to trace the source when it’s a disk file rather than in memory.
In summary, ErrorCascade's design to operate on saved files is a deliberate choice that prioritizes stability, performance, maintainability, and compatibility with other development tools and processes. While it might seem convenient to access unsaved changes, the current approach provides a more robust and reliable solution for code analysis and error correction.