What is the primary purpose of using a linter in JavaScript?

The primary purpose of using a linter in JavaScript is to analyze code for potential errors and enforce coding standards. Linters are tools designed to identify issues related to syntax, style, and best practices in code, allowing developers to maintain clean, readable, and consistent code. By catching errors early in the development process, linters help prevent bugs and improve overall code quality. They can also provide suggestions for adhering to specific coding standards, making it easier for teams to collaborate and adhere to common practices. This preemptive error-checking function is crucial in enhancing productivity and ensuring the robustness of the code.

The other choices refer to different functions that are not associated with linter tools: compiling code, optimizing performance, and converting languages are distinct processes that involve either transforming code for execution or modifying it for efficiency, which are outside the scope of what a linter is designed to do.