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Documenting Code for Developers
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Version Control
Use version control systems to track changes, document changes in commit messages, and link code changes to issue tracking.
External Documentation
Create external documentation like READMEs, wikis, or developer guides. Include setup instructions, dependencies, and examples.
Unified Modeling Language (UML)
Use UML diagrams to provide visual representations of system architecture, class relationships, and workflow processes.
Error Handling Documentation
Document how the code handles errors, list possible exceptions, and describe the error handling strategy.
Localization and Internationalization
Document any specific localization and internationalization considerations, such as language-specific comments and string handling.
Automated Documentation Generators
Utilize tools like Doxygen, Javadoc, or Sphinx to generate documentation from annotated source code.
Performance Considerations
Document performance implications of code sections, explain the choice of algorithms, data structures, and any optimization techniques used.
Function Docstrings
Provide a brief description, list parameters and return types, use a consistent docstring format like JavaDoc or Doxygen.
Code Structure
Organize code logically, group related functions and variables, use whitespace and indentation for readability.
Inline Documentation
Use inline documentation sparingly to explain complex or non-obvious code segments. Don't overuse, as it can clutter code.
Commenting Code
Use comments to explain the why, not the what. Ensure comments are updated along with code changes. Avoid obvious comments.
Code Reviews
Use code reviews as a process to improve code quality and documentation. Encourage documentation discussions during reviews.
Security Measures
Document security measures in place, note secure coding practices, and explain the handling of sensitive data within the code.
Code Deprecation and Compatibility
Document deprecated code sections and provide information on compatibility with previous versions, mention alternatives if available.
Naming Conventions
Use clear and descriptive names for variables, functions, and classes. Follow the project's naming conventions consistently.
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