# 🔧 Core Concepts

> Source: https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/
> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.synthesized.io/llms.txt).

Deep dive into the Synthesized platform’s architecture, transformation pipeline, and the fundamental concepts that power data masking, generation, and subsetting.

## What You’ll Find Here

This section explains the core concepts and architecture behind the Synthesized platform:

- **Platform Overview** - What the platform is and who it helps
- **Architecture** - High-level system design and components
- **How Transformations Work** - Understanding the masking, generation, and subsetting engines
- **Data Lineage** - Tracking data transformations and dependencies
- **PII Detection** - Automatically detect and protect sensitive data

## Quick Links

- [What is the Synthesized Platform?](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/what_is_tdk) - Overview and capabilities
- [Architecture](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/architecture) - System design and components
- [How Masking Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_masking_works) - Masking engine internals
- [How Generation Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_generation_works) - Generation engine internals
- [How Subsetting Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_subsetting_works) - Subsetting engine internals

## All Topics

- [What is the Synthesized Platform?](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/what_is_tdk)
- [Architecture](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/architecture)
- [How Masking Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_masking_works)
- [How Generation Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_generation_works)
- [How Subsetting Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_subsetting_works)
- [PII Detection & Protection](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/pii)

## Where to Start

If you’re new to the platform’s core concepts, start with [What is the Synthesized Platform?](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/what_is_tdk) to understand the fundamentals, then explore [Architecture](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/architecture) to see how the system is designed.

For specific transformation types:

- **Masking**: [How Masking Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_masking_works)
- **Generation**: [How Generation Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_generation_works)
- **Subsetting**: [How Subsetting Works](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/030_core_concepts/how_subsetting_works)

## Related Sections

- [Guides](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/020_guides/) - Practical tutorials using these concepts
- [Reference](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/040_reference/) - Detailed API and configuration specs
- [Deployment & Operations](https://docs.synthesized.io/tdk/latest/user_guide/050_deployment_operations/) - Production deployment guidance