Solid Terminology

SolidJS Terminology Standards

Use these terms consistently when writing SolidJS code or documentation:

Core Terms

• Primitive (not "hook") - A function that serves as a building block of reactivity or behavior, usually begins with create or use
• Reactive value (not just "signal") - A value that can be tracked (includes signals, memos, properties of props and stores)
• Computation or reactive computation (not "computed") - A scope that automatically reruns when its dependencies change
• Core primitive - A primitive provided by the Solid core library (not "API function")
• Custom primitive - A primitive created outside the Solid core library (not "hook")
• Tracking scope - A scope that, when run, Solid automatically tracks all read signals
• Scope - A body of a function (a chunk of code). Not to be confused with root or effect (specific kinds of scopes)
• Root - A computation that has no owner, created by createRoot
• Ownership - A one-to-many relationship between computations
• Solid (not "SolidJS") - Use "Solid" when referring to the framework internally. Use "SolidJS" only when referring to the project externally

Key Rules

1. Never use "hook" - Solid doesn't use React's hook terminology. Use "primitive" instead.
2. Use "reactive value" as the general term, not "signal" (which refers specifically to values created by createSignal)
3. Use "computation" or "reactive computation", not "computed"
4. Use "Solid" not "SolidJS" in code comments and internal documentation