3_Code documentation and commenting
3_Code documentation and commenting
Code Comments:
1. Code comments are annotations within the source code itself.
2. They provide context, explanations, or clarifications about specific code
sections.
3. Developers use comments to make the code more understandable for themselves
and others.
4. Common types of code comments include single-line comments (starting
with //) and multi-line comments (starting with /* and ending with */).
5. While comments are essential, they are not the same as comprehensive
documentation.
Code Documentation:
1. Code documentation goes beyond comments and provides a broader
understanding of the entire codebase.
2. It includes:
External Documentation: Such as user manuals, technical specifications,
design documents, and coding guidelines.
Internal Documentation: Comments within the code, explaining how
functions, classes, and modules work.
High-Level Overviews: Descriptions of the overall architecture, purpose, and
functionality of the software.
Types of Code Documentation
Not all code documentation is the same. Collectively, all code
documentation helps contribute to building and maintaining a
comprehensive understanding of the codebase over time. However,
different types of code documentation serve various purposes and
audiences.
Code comments are inline annotations within the code that explain its
logic, clarify complex sections, or provide context for future developers.
They are the simplest form of documentation and supplement other, more
detailed forms by offering insights into specific code segments or
algorithms.
Configuration files, such as YAML, JSON, or XML files, are often used
to store a software project's settings, preferences, or other configuration
data. Documentation within these files helps users understand the purpose
and format of each configuration option, facilitating customization and
configuration.