14 KiB

Raw Blame History

Why Documentation is Important for Developers

Documentation helps developers work efficiently and ensures projects run smoothly. Here’s why it’s crucial:

Knowledge Sharing: It helps team members understand the system and communicate effectively, especially when new people join the project.
Code Maintenance: Good documentation makes it easier to fix bugs, make updates, and keep the code consistent.
Project Longevity: It ensures that project knowledge is preserved, so future developers can maintain or improve the code without confusion.
Troubleshooting: Developers can quickly find solutions to problems or understand past decisions, saving time and reducing errors.
Testing and Quality: Documentation helps ensure the right testing processes are followed, leading to better-quality code.
Efficiency: It saves time by reducing the need to explain things repeatedly or search for answers.

In short, internal documentation keeps projects organized, helps teams collaborate, and ensures the software can be maintained and improved over time.

Guide to Writing Modular Documentation for React Projects

Modular documentation refers to organizing your documentation into independent, reusable sections or modules. Each module typically covers a specific part of your project, making it easier to update and navigate.

In the context of React, modular documentation should cover both React components and the overall architecture of the app.

Split Documentation into Smaller Sections

When documenting, break down each part of your codebase into its smallest logical unit:

Functions: Explain its purpose, inputs (arguments), and outputs (returns).
Components: Detail props, their types, default values, and the UI they render.
Utilities/Helpers: Document what a utility does, its inputs, and outputs.
APIs: Cover the endpoint, request format, and expected response.

Each section should have a consistent structure for easy understanding and reference.

Documenting Functions

Structure for Documenting Functions

Function Name: A short and descriptive name.
Purpose: Briefly explain what the function does.
Inputs:
- List each parameter.
- Include types and default values if applicable.
Output: Describe the return value and its type.
Code Examples: Provide a usage example.

Example: Utility Function Documentation

## `formatDate`

### Purpose

The `formatDate` function converts a `Date` object into a human-readable string format.

### Inputs

| Parameter | Type     | Default Value | Description                |
| --------- | -------- | ------------- | -------------------------- |
| `date`    | `Date`   | -             | The date object to format. |
| `locale`  | `string` | `"en-US"`     | The locale for formatting. |

### Output

Returns a `string` representing the formatted date.

### Example

```javascript
import { formatDate } from "./utils";

const date = new Date("2024-11-21");
console.log(formatDate(date)); // Output: "November 21, 2024"
```

Documenting Components

Structure for Documenting Components

Component Name: Name of the React component.
Purpose: Explain what the component is for and its use case.
Props:
- List each prop.
- Include type, whether it’s required, and default value.
Behavior: Describe what the component does and any side effects.
Output: Explain what the component renders or returns.
Code Examples: Show how to use the component.

Example: Component Documentation

## `Button`

### Purpose

The `Button` component renders a clickable button with customizable styles and behavior.

### Props

| Prop Name  | Type       | Required | Default Value | Description                        |
| ---------- | ---------- | -------- | ------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `label`    | `string`   | Yes      | -             | The text displayed on the button.  |
| `onClick`  | `function` | No       | `() => {}`    | The function to call when clicked. |
| `disabled` | `boolean`  | No       | `false`       | Disables the button if true.       |
| `style`    | `object`   | No       | `{}`          | Inline styles for the button.      |

### Behavior

- If `disabled` is true, the button cannot be clicked.
- The `onClick` function will only be called when the button is enabled.

### Output

Renders a `<button>` element styled based on the passed props.

### Example

```jsx
import Button from "./components/Button";

<Button
  label="Submit"
  onClick={() => console.log("Clicked")}
  disabled={false}
  style={{ color: "white", backgroundColor: "blue" }}
/>;
```

## Documenting Advanced Components

For components with complex functionality (e.g., controlled components, form components, or components interacting with APIs), follow these additional guidelines:

1. **State Management**: Document the state it manages and how to interact with it.
2. **Lifecycle**: If it uses React lifecycle methods or hooks, explain their purpose.
3. **Events**: Document events (e.g., `onChange`, `onBlur`) and their payloads.

#### Example: Complex Component Documentation

````markdown
## `SearchBar`

### Purpose

The `SearchBar` component provides a text input for users to search and emits search queries through the `onSearch` event.

### Props

| Prop Name     | Type       | Required | Default Value | Description                                  |
| ------------- | ---------- | -------- | ------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| `placeholder` | `string`   | No       | `"Search..."` | The placeholder text for the input.          |
| `onSearch`    | `function` | Yes      | -             | Callback fired when the search is submitted. |
| `debounce`    | `number`   | No       | `300`         | Time in milliseconds to debounce user input. |

### Behavior

1. The component manages the `inputValue` state.
2. After the user stops typing for the `debounce` duration, it triggers the `onSearch` callback with the input value.

### Output

Renders:

- A `<div>` wrapper.
- An `<input>` field styled with default or custom styles.

### Example

```jsx
import SearchBar from "./components/SearchBar";

<SearchBar
  placeholder="Search items..."
  onSearch={(query) => console.log(query)}
  debounce={500}
/>;
```
````

Documenting Custom Hooks

Structure for Documenting Hooks

Hook Name: Name of the hook.
Purpose: Why it’s used and what it does.
Inputs: Parameters passed to the hook.
State/Outputs: State or values returned by the hook.
Usage: Show an example.

Example: Hook Documentation

## `useFetch`

### Purpose

The `useFetch` hook manages data fetching and provides loading, error, and response states.

### Inputs

| Parameter | Type     | Required | Default Value | Description                           |
| --------- | -------- | -------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| `url`     | `string` | Yes      | -             | The endpoint to fetch data from.      |
| `options` | `object` | No       | `{}`          | Fetch options like headers or method. |

### State/Outputs

| State Name | Type      | Description                              |
| ---------- | --------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| `data`     | `any`     | The response data from the API.          |
| `loading`  | `boolean` | Indicates if the request is in progress. |
| `error`    | `object`  | The error object if the request fails.   |

### Example

```javascript
import { useFetch } from "./hooks/useFetch";

const MyComponent = () => {
  const { data, loading, error } = useFetch("/api/data");

  if (loading) return <p>Loading...</p>;
  if (error) return <p>Error: {error.message}</p>;

  return <div>{JSON.stringify(data)}</div>;
};
```

General Best Practices for Modular Documentation

Be Consistent: Use the same format for all functions, components, and hooks.
Focus on Inputs and Outputs: Developers care about what they give and what they get.
Use Examples: Code examples make documentation actionable.
Avoid Overloading: Document each function/component in its own file if it’s complex.
Explain Behavior: Describe any side effects, state changes, or interactions.

Guide to Managing Files and Folders for Documentation in Docsify

Docsify is a flexible tool for generating documentation from markdown files. To keep your Docsify-based project well-organized, here’s a guide on how to manage files and folders effectively.

1. Project Structure Overview

A clean folder structure is crucial for scalability, readability, and ease of maintenance. Below is a suggested structure:

/docs                # Root folder for your Docsify project
│
├── /assets/                    # Static resources (images, videos, files, etc.)
│   └── /images/                # Folder for images used in your docs
│       └── gitWorkFlow.svg     # Example image used in documentation
│   └── /videos/                # Folder for tutorial videos or related media
│       └── walkthrough.mp4     # old walkthrough presentation
│
├── /documents/                 # Folder for the main documentation content
│   └── docsifyGuide.md         # Documentation for setting up and using Docsify
│   └── projectStructure.md     # Explanation of the project structure and organization
│   └── /components/            # Folder for documentation on different components
│       └── input.md            # Input component documentation
│       └── others.md           # Other components documentation
│   └── etc.md                  # Any additional miscellaneous documentation
│
├── /style/                     # Folder for custom styles
│   └── style.css               # Custom CSS file for styling the documentation
│
└── index.html                  # Main entry point for Docsify (loads the documentation)

2. Folder Breakdown

/docs: This is the core folder that contains all of your Markdown (.md) files. You can organize these files by sections or topics such as guides, API references, and tutorials. Subfolders like /guide, /reference, or /tutorials help keep related files together.
/assets: This folder is for any images, diagrams, videos, or other static files referenced in your documentation. It's best to organize your media into subfolders based on the section they belong to.

Example:
```
/assets
├── /images/
│   ├── diagram1.png
│   └── screenshot.png
└── /videos/
    └── tutorial.mp4
```
/lib: If you want to add custom JavaScript or other scripts to enhance Docsify’s functionality, place them in the /lib folder. This can include themes, custom navigation, or interactive features.

3. Naming Conventions

Use simple, descriptive names for your files and folders. Avoid spaces in filenames—use hyphens (-) instead. For example:

Correct: installation-guide.md, api-reference.md
Incorrect: installation guide.md, api reference.md

This keeps URLs and links consistent and easier to handle.

4. Organizing Documentation Files

Homepage (index.md):
The index.md file serves as the homepage for your documentation. It should provide an introduction to the project and link to other sections of your documentation.
Guide Section:
Place introductory content, installation instructions, and tutorials in the /guide folder. Each file should be named based on its content (e.g., installation.md, getting-started.md).
Reference Section:
For API documentation or technical references, create a /reference folder. You might have files like api-reference.md, config.md, or troubleshooting.md.
Assets:
Organize images, videos, or diagrams in the /assets folder. Keep this structure consistent across sections (e.g., /assets/images/, /assets/videos/).

5. Writing the _sidebar.md File

The _sidebar.md file controls the sidebar navigation in Docsify. It defines the links that appear on the sidebar, which can point to sections of the documentation or external URLs.

Here’s how to structure the _sidebar.md file:

Basic Structure:
You can list the sections of your documentation as clickable links. Use Markdown syntax to link to the different .md files within your /docs folder.

Example:

- [Home](/) # Link to the homepage
- [Getting Started](/guide/intro.md) # Link to the "Getting Started" guide
- [API Reference](/reference/api.md) # Link to the API documentation
- [Installation](/guide/installation.md) # Link to the installation guide

Nested Links:
To organize sections into subcategories, you can nest links under headings. This helps create a hierarchical structure in the sidebar.