Source Maps Explained: How They Work and Why They Sometimes Leak Source Code
Most developers only think about source maps when DevTools magically shows the original TypeScript instead of unreadable bundled JavaScript. That convenience hides an important fact: A source map is not just “debug metadata.” It is a translation table between generated code and original source code. And depending on how it is emitted, it can contain the original source itself. That is why source maps sit at the intersection of: debugging build tooling browser DevTools error reporting systems like Sentry security and accidental code exposure If you have ever wondered how a minified file can still produce readable stack traces, or how a published .map file can expose a package’s real TypeScript source, this is the mental model you want. ...