"The only goal of API documentation has to be for “great documentation.” I define that as documentation so clear so it defies misunderstanding. Why would it be anything else? While it sounds like a lofty goal, it’s easily obtainable and within everyone’s reach. It begins by thinking like a developer. API documentation writers have to move away from thinking like a technical writer.

When documenting strings, many writers just think about this as little more as characters within quotes, or as a combined set of characters. The following are two examples commonly documented for strings. In a moment, you’ll see how inadequate these really are."

https://robertdelwood.medium.com/the-truth-about-describing-strings-932c28bbde22

#APIDocumentation #APIs #TechnicalWriting #SoftwareDocumentation #SoftwareDevelopment #Programming

  • voracitude@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    I define that as documentation so clear so it defies misunderstanding

    This is why developers should have to work in support for a few years, like mandated military service. The experience would stop them from believing nonsense like being able to defy misunderstanding.

    I had someone fuck up clicking a link yesterday. Twice.