Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Documentation refers to written materials that provide information about how to use or understand a software application, system, or code. It includes user manuals, technical guides, API references, and code comments.
Related terms
Commenting: Commenting is the practice of adding explanatory notes within source code to help other developers understand its functionality.
Readme File: A readme file is a document placed in project folders that provides essential information about the project's purpose, installation instructions, usage guidelines, etc.
API Documentation: API documentation describes how developers can interact with an application's programming interfaces (APIs) by providing details about available endpoints, parameters, response formats, etc.