At its core, documentation comes down to being useful, clear, and focused. Though we may not have all the answers (42), keeping some key principles in mind will help guide documentation efforts.
In an increasingly complex tech landscape, documentation serves a vital role - making the abstract ➡ concrete and complex ➡ clear. Without documentation, we're left disoriented - adrift in a perplexing sea of code and systems without a map or compass. Confusion and frustration set in. Progress halts.
Thoughtfully crafted documentation lights the way. It transforms confusion into understanding and obstructed paths into clearly marked roads. It empowers users of all backgrounds to utilize tools confidently.
In short, documentation liberates us from entrenched bewilderment. It illuminates solutions and provides a helpful framework for problem-solving. We may not fully appreciate its purpose in the moment, but we'd surely be worse off without it.
So value documentation when you find it. Learn from it, improve it, share it. While not quite the Answer to Life's grand mysteries, documentation nonetheless serves as an essential guide through the unfolding tech landscape.
With documenation (and a towel) by our side, we travel a little lighter.
- Be clear and concise - Document with purpose. Avoid unnecessary complexity. See KISS for more detail 😉
- Be helpful and practical - Focus on what users need to know, don't add fluff or commentary.
- Use humor judiciously - A touch can ease understanding if used well!
- Documentation should inform - Prioritize reader needs over style, content, or other bits.
- Marketing vs Documenation - Know the difference between documentation and marketing (though there may be crossover).
- Documentation is always evolving - Listen to users and improve, cause your fellow hitchhikers are traversing the same galaxy and can help you on your journey.
If we follow these philosophies, structure our docs cleanly, abide by content best practices, refer to cheat sheets, hone our writing, and learn from strong examples, we can create documentation that enlightens. We may not have the true Answer to the Ultimate Question of Docs, the Universe, and Everything (42) perhaps, but we can provide modest clarity and usefulness in an often confusing technology landscape.
The core idea is that documentation should be a friendly, welcoming resource focused squarely on enabling user success. This guide aims to help fellow documentarians realize that vision.
We may never know the Ultimate Question, but we can still create guides that gently light the path.
