Live Documentation vs Static Documentation
Developers should use live documentation when working on projects with frequent code changes, large codebases, or APIs where manual documentation becomes error-prone and time-consuming meets developers should use static documentation when they need reliable, version-controlled documentation that integrates seamlessly with their development process, such as for api references, user guides, or internal project documentation. Here's our take.
Live Documentation
Developers should use live documentation when working on projects with frequent code changes, large codebases, or APIs where manual documentation becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Live Documentation
Nice PickDevelopers should use live documentation when working on projects with frequent code changes, large codebases, or APIs where manual documentation becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Pros
- +It is particularly valuable in agile environments, for public APIs, or in teams where onboarding new members requires reliable, current documentation
- +Related to: api-documentation, code-comments
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Static Documentation
Developers should use static documentation when they need reliable, version-controlled documentation that integrates seamlessly with their development process, such as for API references, user guides, or internal project documentation
Pros
- +It is particularly valuable in agile or DevOps environments where documentation must keep pace with rapid code changes, as it allows for automated builds, easy collaboration via pull requests, and hosting on platforms like GitHub Pages or Read the Docs
- +Related to: markdown, git
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Live Documentation if: You want it is particularly valuable in agile environments, for public apis, or in teams where onboarding new members requires reliable, current documentation and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Static Documentation if: You prioritize it is particularly valuable in agile or devops environments where documentation must keep pace with rapid code changes, as it allows for automated builds, easy collaboration via pull requests, and hosting on platforms like github pages or read the docs over what Live Documentation offers.
Developers should use live documentation when working on projects with frequent code changes, large codebases, or APIs where manual documentation becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev