Executable Documentation Artifact

An Executable Documentation Artifact is a verifiable documentation artifact that contains runnable code, scripts, or commands that validate its own accuracy and demonstrate its claims.

• AKA: Runnable Documentation, Self-Validating Documentation, Testable Documentation Artifact.
• Context:
  • It can typically prove Documentation Correctness through executable documentation artifact execution.
  • It can typically demonstrate System Behavior via executable documentation artifact runtime output.
  • It can typically validate Configuration Settings using executable documentation artifact test scripts.
  • It can often teach Implementation Patterns through executable documentation artifact working examples.
  • It can often prevent Documentation Rot via executable documentation artifact continuous testing.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Executable Documentation Artifact to being a Complex Executable Documentation Artifact, depending on its executable documentation artifact sophistication.
  • It can range from being a Inline Executable Documentation Artifact to being a External Executable Documentation Artifact, depending on its executable documentation artifact placement.
  • It can range from being a Unit-Level Executable Documentation Artifact to being a System-Level Executable Documentation Artifact, depending on its executable documentation artifact scope.
  • It can range from being a Deterministic Executable Documentation Artifact to being a Probabilistic Executable Documentation Artifact, depending on its executable documentation artifact predictability.
  • ...
  • It can accelerate Developer Onboarding through executable documentation artifact hands-on learning.
  • It can multiply Documentation Trustworthiness via executable documentation artifact proof of work.
  • It can enhance Problem Resolution using executable documentation artifact reproducible debugging.
  • It can amplify API Adoption through executable documentation artifact try-before-integrate.
  • It can increase Implementation Speed via executable documentation artifact copy-paste confidence.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Jupyter Notebook Executable Documentation Artifact, combining narrative explanations with runnable code cells.
  • Docker Compose Executable Documentation Artifact, providing complete environment setup with single command execution.
  • Postman Collection Executable Documentation Artifact, offering API documentation with executable requests.
  • Shell Script Executable Documentation Artifact, documenting deployment process through runnable automation.
  • Unit Test Executable Documentation Artifact, explaining component behavior via executable specifications.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Static Documentation Artifact, which provides information without execution capability.
  • Conceptual Documentation Artifact, which explains theory rather than executable documentation artifact.
  • Policy Documentation Artifact, which defines rules rather than executable documentation artifact.
• See: Verifiable Documentation Artifact, Living Documentation Pattern, Documentation Verification Protocol, Documentation-Driven Development Practice, Documentation Value Amplification Pattern, Documentation Quality Monitoring System, Just-In-Time Documentation Principle.

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