How do you document and comment your algorithm for best practices?

1 What is documentation?

Documentation is the process of creating and maintaining written or visual information that describes your algorithm, its purpose, its inputs and outputs, its assumptions and limitations, its performance and complexity, and its dependencies and references. Documentation can be external or internal, depending on the intended audience and the level of detail. External documentation is usually aimed at users or clients who want to know how to use your algorithm, what it does, and what it expects. Internal documentation is usually aimed at developers or reviewers who want to know how your algorithm works, how it is structured, and how it can be modified or extended.

2 What is commenting?

Commenting is the process of adding explanatory or descriptive text within your code that clarifies or enhances its meaning or functionality. Comments can be inline or block, depending on the scope and length of the text. Inline comments are usually placed at the end of a line of code or after a specific statement or expression. Block comments are usually placed before a section of code or a function or class definition. Comments can also be used to mark unfinished or problematic code, to indicate alternative or optional code, or to provide debugging or testing information.

3 Why document and comment your algorithm?

Documenting and commenting your algorithm can have many benefits for you and others, such as making it easier to understand, maintain, reuse, test, and share. This is especially true if the algorithm is complex, novel, unfamiliar, subject to changes or errors, part of a larger system or project, or intended for collaboration, publication, or presentation. Commenting your algorithm can also make it easier to debug if it involves data structures, logic, or calculations.

4 How to document your algorithm?

When it comes to documenting your algorithm, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are some general guidelines and best practices you can follow. To start, you should identify your audience and purpose, as well as choose a format and style to present your documentation. Additionally, you need to organize your content and structure, writing your content and checking its accuracy. Furthermore, review and update your documentation regularly to ensure it is correct, clear, consistent, and up to date. By following these steps, you will be able to create effective documentation for your algorithm.

5 How to comment your algorithm?

Commenting your algorithm is not a one-size-fits-all process, but there are some common principles and best practices that you can apply. Your comments should supplement, not repeat, your code. This means providing additional context or insight that is not obvious from the code itself. Additionally, explain why or what you are doing, not how you are doing it. Your comments should highlight the unusual, special, or tricky parts of your code, and should be part of your coding process - not an afterthought. By following these tips, you can ensure that your comments are up-to-date and accurate.

6 How to use code tags?

Code tags are special symbols or keywords that you can use to mark or format your code within your documentation or comments. Code tags can help you and others identify, distinguish, or highlight your code from the rest of the text. Code tags can also help you and others execute, test, or debug your code. Some of the common code tags are:

- and : These tags are used to enclose a single line or a block of code within your documentation or comments. They indicate that the text between them is code and should be treated as such. For example, sum = a + b shows that sum = a + b is a line of code.

- # or //: These tags are used to start an inline comment within your code. They indicate that the text after them is a comment and should be ignored by the compiler or interpreter. For example, # This is a comment shows that This is a comment is an inline comment.

- /* and */: These tags are used to start and end a block comment within your code. They indicate that the text between them is a comment and should be ignored by the compiler or interpreter. For example, /* This is a block comment */ shows that This is a block comment is a block comment.

- TODO or FIXME: These tags are used to mark unfinished or problematic code within your code or comments. They indicate that the code after them needs to be completed or fixed. For example, TODO: Add error handling shows that Add error handling is a task that needs to be done.

- @ or #: These tags are used to start a special comment or annotation within your code or comments. They indicate that the text after them has a specific meaning or function. For example, @param x The first input shows that x is a parameter and The first input is its description.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?