SourceFilename

SourceFilename is a label used in software development to denote the name of the original source file associated with a piece of code, data, or a generated artifact. It serves as a reference that ties generated or transformed content back to its origin, enabling humans and tools to locate the original source.

It appears in contexts such as compilers, debuggers, and source maps. In a source map or a debugging record, the sourceFilename identifies the file path or simple file name of the original source that produced a given segment of code. Tools use this information to show the correct file in error messages, stack traces, editors, and reformatted code views. The value can be an absolute path, a path relative to a project root, or a logical name, depending on the format and environment.

In practice, you might see a line containing sourceFilename set to 'src/main.rs' or 'C:\proj\src\app.js'. When code is generated from templates or transpiled, the value may refer to the generated artifact or, in some workflows, to the original template or source file. Maintaining accurate sourceFilename values improves traceability and simplifies debugging.

Best practices include using stable, project-root-relative paths, avoiding dynamic or environment-dependent values, and ensuring consistency across builds and tools. Be aware that some pipelines preserve both the generated file and the original source; in such cases, different tooling may expose different filename fields.

Because path information can reveal directory structures, some systems redact or truncate exact paths for production logs. When multiple sources are involved, keep a clear convention or use supplementary mappings to avoid confusion.