Living Documentation Pattern

A Living Documentation Pattern is a documentation automation pattern that generates documentation directly from code, tests, and runtime behavior to ensure accuracy and currency.

• AKA: Executable Documentation, Self-Documenting Code Pattern, Documentation-as-Code Pattern.
• Context:
  • It can typically generate Documentation Content from living documentation pattern source code.
  • It can typically extract Documentation Specifications from living documentation pattern test suites.
  • It can typically derive Documentation Examples from living documentation pattern execution traces.
  • It can often synchronize Documentation Updates with living documentation pattern code commits.
  • It can often validate Documentation Correctness through living documentation pattern continuous integration.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Annotation-Based Living Documentation Pattern to being an Inference-Based Living Documentation Pattern, depending on its living documentation pattern extraction method.
  • It can range from being a Static Living Documentation Pattern to being a Dynamic Living Documentation Pattern, depending on its living documentation pattern generation timing.
  • It can range from being a Partial Living Documentation Pattern to being a Complete Living Documentation Pattern, depending on its living documentation pattern coverage.
  • It can range from being a Text-Based Living Documentation Pattern to being a Multimedia Living Documentation Pattern, depending on its living documentation pattern format.
  • ...
  • It can enable Real-Time Knowledge Discovery through living documentation pattern automation.
  • It can amplify Developer Confidence via living documentation pattern trustworthiness.
  • It can accelerate Onboarding Effectiveness using living documentation pattern self-evidence.
  • It can enhance API Adoption Rate through living documentation pattern interactivity.
  • It can multiply Documentation Reach via living documentation pattern accessibility.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • BDD Living Documentation Pattern, generating feature documentation from Cucumber scenarios.
  • OpenAPI Living Documentation Pattern, creating API documentation from OpenAPI specifications.
  • Doctest Living Documentation Pattern, producing example documentation from Python doctests.
  • JavaDoc Living Documentation Pattern, extracting class documentation from JavaDoc annotations.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Manual Documentation Pattern, which requires human authoring rather than living documentation pattern.
  • Static Documentation Pattern, which creates fixed documents rather than living documentation pattern.
  • External Documentation Pattern, which maintains separate artifacts rather than living documentation pattern.
• See: Documentation Automation Pattern, Documentation Quality Monitoring System, Documentation Accuracy Measure, Documentation Freshness Measure, Continuous Documentation, Documentation-as-Code, Documentation Governance Framework.

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