Code Comments
Explain complex logic or non-obvious decisions directly in the code.
Documentation - Writing Clear and Useful Docs
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Documentation
Section titled “Documentation”Good documentation is essential for maintaining a healthy codebase and onboarding new team members. It ensures that everyone understands how the code works, why decisions were made, and how to use it effectively.
Why Documentation Matters
Section titled “Why Documentation Matters”- Onboarding: Helps new team members get up to speed quickly.
- Maintenance: Makes it easier to understand and update code.
- Collaboration: Ensures everyone is on the same page.
- Knowledge sharing: Preserves institutional knowledge.
Types of Documentation
Section titled “Types of Documentation”README Files
Provide an overview of the project, setup instructions, and usage examples.
API Documentation
Document endpoints, parameters, and responses for APIs.
Architecture Decisions
Record why certain technical decisions were made (e.g., ADRs).
Best Practices for Writing Documentation
Section titled “Best Practices for Writing Documentation”- Keep It Concise Avoid unnecessary details. Focus on what’s important for the reader.
- Update Regularly Documentation should evolve with the code. Outdated docs are worse than no docs.
- Use Examples Show how to use the code or feature with practical examples.
- Write for Your Audience Tailor the documentation to the intended readers (e.g., developers, end-users).
- Automate When Possible Use tools like JSDoc, Swagger, or Docusaurus to generate documentation automatically.
Tools for Documentation
Section titled “Tools for Documentation”| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Markdown | Simple, readable format for writing documentation. |
| Docusaurus | Build and maintain open-source documentation websites. |
| Swagger/OpenAPI | Generate interactive API documentation. |
| JSDoc | Document JavaScript code with annotations. |
| Confluence | Collaborate on documentation with your team. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Section titled “Common Mistakes to Avoid”- Outdated documentation: Always update docs when the code changes.
- Overcomplicating: Keep it simple and focused.
- Ignoring the audience: Write for the people who will use the documentation.
- Lack of examples: Show, don’t just tell.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Start with a README for your project.
- Use automated tools to generate and maintain documentation.
- Encourage your team to contribute to and review documentation.