External Documentation

External documentation refers to the practice of creating and maintaining technical documentation outside of the source code, typically in separate files or systems. It includes user manuals, API references, tutorials, and architectural overviews to help users, developers, and stakeholders understand and use a software system effectively. This approach complements inline code comments by providing broader context and guidance.

Also known as: External docs, Out-of-band documentation, Separate documentation, Standalone documentation, External tech docs

Why learn External Documentation?

Developers should learn and use external documentation to improve software usability, maintainability, and collaboration, especially in team environments or for public-facing projects. It is essential when building APIs, libraries, or complex systems where users need clear instructions beyond code, such as in open-source contributions, enterprise software, or regulatory compliance scenarios.

Learning Resources

• docs: Write the Docs Guide
• course: Google Technical Writing Courses
• tutorial: Documentation as Code: A Practical Guide
• tutorial: The Documentation System by Tom Johnson
• docs: MDN Web Docs on Writing Documentation