Inline Documentation
Inline documentation is the practice of embedding explanatory comments, annotations, or documentation directly within source code to describe its functionality, usage, and behavior. It serves as immediate, context-aware guidance for developers reading or maintaining the code, often using syntax-specific comment markers like // in JavaScript or # in Python. This approach enhances code readability, facilitates collaboration, and supports automated documentation generation tools.
Developers should use inline documentation to improve code maintainability and team collaboration, especially in complex projects or when working in large teams where code clarity is critical. It is essential for documenting function parameters, return values, edge cases, and non-obvious logic, making it easier for others (or future self) to understand and modify the code without extensive external references. Inline documentation also integrates with tools like JSDoc or Sphinx to automatically generate API documentation, streamlining the development workflow.