Writing Helpful Technical Documentation

Let me guess, you have still not written documentation for your last project.

Writing technical documentation can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not a natural writer. However, with a little bit of planning and the right approach, you can create technical documentation that is not only clear and concise, but also helpful for your team. A helpful documentation not only helps other members of your team understand your code, but it also serves as a valuable resource for future reference and maintenance.

But how do you go about writing helpful technical documentation? Here are a few tips to keep in mind when writing technical documentation for your next project (and the previous ones):

• Identify your audience: Before you start writing, it’s important to understand who you’re writing for. Are you writing for a technical audience who is familiar with the topic, or are you writing for a general audience who may not have much experience with the subject? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your language and approach to make your documentation as helpful as possible.
• Organize your information: Technical documentation can be a lot of information to take in, so it’s important to organize it in a way that is easy to follow. Start by creating an outline that breaks down the information into manageable sections and sub-sections. This will help your readers find the information they need quickly and easily.
• Start with a clear overview of the project or code. This should include the purpose, goals, and any assumptions or constraints. This helps the reader understand the context and scope of the documentation.
  For example, if you’re documenting a function that calculates the average of a list of numbers, you could include an overview like this:

This function calculates the average of a list of numbers. 
The list must contain at least one element, and all elements must be numeric.

• Include detailed descriptions of each function, class, or module. This should include a summary of what the code does, as well as any inputs, outputs, and dependencies. This helps the reader understand how the code works and how it fits into the larger system.
  For example, if you’re documenting the function from the previous example, you could include a detailed description like this:

def average(numbers: List[int]) -> float:
    """
    Calculates the average of a list of numbers.
    
    Args:
        numbers: A list of integers or floats.
        
    Returns:
        The average of the numbers as a float.
        
    Raises:
        ValueError: If the list is empty or contains non-numeric elements.
    """

• Use clear and concise language: Technical documentation can quickly become overwhelming if it is written in dense, technical language. Instead, try to use clear and concise language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or complex terms unless absolutely necessary, and if you do need to use them, be sure to explain them in simple terms. For example, instead of using a term like “iterate over a list,” you could say “loop through each element in a list.” This makes the code easier to understand for readers who may not have a lot of technical experience.
• Use visuals: In addition to text, consider using visuals to help illustrate complex concepts or processes. Diagrams, images, and videos can all be effective tools for making technical information more accessible and easier to understand.
• Provide examples and code samples. Examples and code samples are a great way to illustrate how the code works and show how it can be used in practice. This helps the reader see the code in action and understand how it can be applied to their own projects.
  For example, if you’re documenting the average function from the previous examples, you could include a code sample like this:.

# Calculate the average of a list of numbers
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
average = average(numbers)
print(average) # 3.0

• Keep it up-to-date: Technical information can quickly become outdated, so it’s important to regularly review and update your documentation. Make sure to check for accuracy and relevance, and consider soliciting feedback from your audience to see if there are any areas that could be improved.

By following these tips, you can create technical documentation that is clear, concise, and helpful for your audience. Remember to identify your audience, use clear language, organize your information, and include visuals and examples to make your documentation as effective as possible. Happy writing!