Documentation-Based Explanations

Documentation-based explanations is a methodology in software development where technical documentation serves as the primary source for explaining system functionality, architecture, and usage, often integrated into development workflows. It emphasizes creating clear, accessible, and up-to-date documentation to facilitate understanding, onboarding, and maintenance of software projects. This approach is commonly used in API documentation, code comments, README files, and comprehensive guides to ensure consistency and reduce knowledge silos.

Also known as: Doc-based explanations, Documentation-driven development, Docs-first approach, Technical documentation methodology, Doc explanations

Why learn Documentation-Based Explanations?

Developers should adopt documentation-based explanations when working on complex systems, open-source projects, or team environments to improve collaboration and reduce onboarding time. It is particularly useful for API-driven development, microservices architectures, and regulatory compliance projects where clear documentation is essential for external users or auditors. This methodology helps maintain code quality, supports automated documentation generation tools, and aligns with DevOps practices like GitOps and Infrastructure as Code.

Learning Resources

• docs: Write the Docs Guide
• tutorial: Documentation as Code: A Practical Guide
• course: Technical Writing for Developers on Coursera
• video: The Importance of Documentation in Software Development
• book: Docs Like Code by Anne Gentle