How do you document code in an uncommon programming language for Operations Research?

2 Follow naming and formatting conventions

Another way to document your code is to follow consistent and clear naming and formatting conventions. Naming conventions are rules or guidelines for choosing meaningful and descriptive names for your code elements, such as files, variables, functions, or modules. Formatting conventions are rules or guidelines for arranging and spacing your code elements, such as indentation, line breaks, brackets, or punctuation. You can follow the existing conventions of your programming language, or create your own conventions based on your preferences or standards. For example, in GAMS, you can use uppercase letters for sets and parameters, lowercase letters for variables and equations, and camel case for functions and modules.

3 Use documentation tools and generators

A third way to document your code is to use documentation tools and generators. Documentation tools are software applications or libraries that can help you create, manage, and update your code documentation. Documentation generators are software applications or libraries that can automatically extract and generate documentation from your code comments and annotations. You can use documentation tools and generators to create different types of documentation, such as user manuals, reference guides, tutorials, or web pages. For example, in AIMMS, you can use the Documentation Manager to create and edit documentation within the IDE, and the Documentation Generator to create HTML documentation from your project files.

4 Share and collaborate with others

A fourth way to document your code is to share and collaborate with others. Sharing and collaborating with others can help you get feedback, suggestions, and improvements for your code documentation. You can share and collaborate with others through various channels, such as online platforms, repositories, forums, or communities. For example, in R, you can use platforms like GitHub, CRAN, or RStudio Connect to publish, distribute, and update your code and documentation. You can also use repositories like RDocumentation or RForge to store and access your code and documentation. You can also use forums like Stack Overflow or R-help to ask and answer questions about your code and documentation.

5 Learn from examples and best practices

A fifth way to document your code is to learn from examples and best practices. Learning from examples and best practices can help you improve your skills and knowledge of code documentation. You can learn from examples and best practices by reading and analyzing the code and documentation of other OR practitioners or projects. You can also learn from examples and best practices by following the recommendations and guidelines of experts or organizations. For example, in OR, you can learn from examples and best practices by reading the code and documentation of the NEOS Server, the COIN-OR project, or the INFORMS Computing Society. You can also learn from examples and best practices by following the recommendations and guidelines of the OR Society, the AMPL book, or the R Markdown book.