Section 9 of 26
Glossary
Conduit uses ordinary nouns very deliberately, but they are easier to learn in small semantic clusters than as one ceremonial procession.
Information
| term | meaning |
|---|---|
| type | reusable semantic contract describing what values mean |
| form | an exact portable representation contract, distinct from type meaning |
| info | one finite typed/structured value carried through cords |
| data | independently addressable immutable content generation |
| &T | ordinary finite info naming one exact data generation containing T, not authority or a pointer |
| keep | retained current semantic value with an exact duration |
type meaning and form identity are separate. A current value in a keep may change while an earlier saved data generation remains immutable.
Work and realization
| term | meaning |
|---|---|
| kind | reusable semantic contract for executable work |
| fore | user-visible checked callable signature of a kind or plot |
| back | one concrete realization compatible with a fore |
| gear | one configured occurrence of a kind in a plot |
| port | typed directional point named by a fore and used by gears |
| cord | semantic connection between compatible ports |
| line | finite concrete carriage that may realize a cord across hosts |
| base | concrete mechanism/resource boundary beneath a host |
| resource | admitted runtime possession required by realization |
A cord is not a line, and a kind is not its back.
Authored execution
| term | meaning |
|---|---|
| plot | authored portable course of semantic work: what should happen |
| plan | exact immutable admitted realization of a plot under current truth |
| play | active execution of one exact plan |
| step | one bounded kernel transition during a play |
| host call | one bounded request from an executing back into host machinery |
| sign | bounded evidence/observation about truth or events |
A changed plan does not imply a changed plot. A sign is evidence, not authority.
Continuity
| term | meaning |
|---|---|
| body | durable logical computer that can continue while machinery changes |
| part | durable membership relationship inside a body |
| host | current realization environment capable of offering backs |
| boot | one current incarnation/generation of a host |
| birth | explicit authorized creation of a body |
| wake | body lifecycle transition into active availability |
| lull | body lifecycle transition out of active play while preserving continuity |
A host can reboot without becoming a new body; a body can lose a host without necessarily losing its identity.
Human encounter
| term | meaning |
|---|---|
| face | body's human-facing semantic encounter and agency |
| mask | planned user-agent realization of a face |
| show | one finite concrete manifestation through a mask |
A face is not a widget tree, and a show is not authoritative merely because it is visible. face is not a synonym, ancestor, or presentation-side version of fore; the concepts are unrelated.
Source and system nouns
| term | meaning |
|---|---|
| pack | authored source/dependency shipment unit |
| Conduitese | human-authored language of .conduit source |
| ConduitOS | freestanding Conduit host environment |
| Patchbay | inspection/workbench projection over authoritative Conduit truth |
| Crèche | zero-body/birth entrance and body-creation experience |
The compact map
type → info (carried through a form)
kind → fore → back
↓
gear → port → cord → line
plot → plan → play
body → wake / lull
↓
hosts / boots / parts
keep ↔ current truth
data ↔ immutable named generation
face → mask → show
The arrows are mnemonic, not a claim that every noun is a pipeline stage.
Current vocabulary
Current development source uses executable plot and representation form:
type → form and plot → plan → play.
#4800 implements the paired
migration from #4513. Former
executable form and representation code declarations are rejected. Follow
Current language surface when writing source.