Documentation Is Underappreciated

Why is it that developers love to sit in front of their PCs, pressing keys for hours to produce beautiful code, but when it comes to explaining this freshly created construction of symbols in written form, they suddenly become unmotivated? They find countless reasons why documentation isn't necessary. Phrases like "Nobody needs documentation" or "Your code should be self-explanatory" are thrown around every time the topic comes up. We've all seen memes like "Did you know that debugging for 5 hours can save you 5 minutes of reading documentation?"

While I agree that code should be mostly self-explanatory and clean, I strongly believe that the absence of any written documentation is a mistake. No matter how clean and easy to read your code is, there should always be at least a small, high-level explanation of why you wrote that piece of code or that package and what it does. This serves as an introduction for people entering or re-entering the project. However, most of the time, people don't think documentation is necessary. Even worse, some people think that even reading documentation is not worth their time. They believe they can figure it out by watching a YouTube video or asking ChatGPT. They think it's faster this way. But let me tell you — that's the wrong approach. Today I want to explain why it is important to read and write documentation.

Why Reading Documentation Is Good

Efficiency

I understand that browsing through documentation can seem time-consuming, especially when you're trying to solve a specific problem under time constraints. It might feel like you're wasting time searching for a needle in a haystack. But does it really take more time? I disagree.

When encountering a problem, many developers turn to Google, searching for symptoms like "My view is not rendering" or "Error xy - Exception." While this approach might lead you to quick fixes on platforms like ChatGPT or StackOverflow, it often bypasses the official documentation, which could provide a more comprehensive solution.

Instead of focusing on the symptom, consider what you were initially trying to achieve before the error occurred. For example, if you're having trouble rendering a view in Laravel, search the documentation for "rendering a template in Laravel." This way, you can compare your code with the documented best practices, saving time and reducing frustration.

I'll admit, I've been guilty of this behavior too. Like many developers, I often turn to quick searches and get frustrated when I don't find an immediate solution. However, in 80-90% of cases, I end up consulting the documentation and finding the answer more easily than expected. It's surprising how straightforward solutions can be when you approach the problem from the perspective of your initial goal rather than the symptoms.

Learning from the Experts

Documentation is usually written by the creators of the tool or language. These are the experts who know the best ways to use their creation. They include best practices, common idioms and even solutions for tricky edge cases. This makes documentation a valuable resource for learning directly from the experts.

While community platforms like StackOverflow are helpful, the people there are users just like you. They might not have the same deep knowledge as the creators. Reading the official documentation helps you learn from the best, avoiding common mistakes and following proven methods.

Building a Knowledge Base

Browsing through documentation helps you build a broader understanding of the tools you use. Even if the information isn't directly relevant to your current problem, it helps you connect the dots and build a mental map. This can be incredibly useful in the future.

When you encounter a problem, you might remember reading about a similar issue or solution in the documentation. Or even better, you might avoid errors altogether because you recall specific functionalities described in the docs.

Frequently browsing documentation makes it easier to navigate. Even just skimming the table of contents helps you know where to find information quickly. I browse the Laravel documentation almost daily and it has significantly improved my efficiency and understanding.

Why Writing Documentation Is Good

Writing documentation is at least as important as reading it. So let's dive into why I think this is the case.

Future-Proofing

Imagine starting at a new company and being assigned with a task refactoring a codebase you've never seen before. You're unfamiliar with the internal coding guidelines and as you dig into the code, you realize you have no idea why certain functions exist or why specific functionalities are handled in a particular way. You ask for documentation, but there is none. Even worse, all the developers who worked on the project have left the company. It's a nightmare.

While this is the worst-case scenario, it happens quite often. Working on undocumented projects can be incredibly frustrating. Do yourself and others a favor by writing even a small amount of documentation. Introduce the project or module at a high level. It doesn't have to be complicated. You can even use tools like ChatGPT to help generate documentation quickly.

Writing documentation makes life easier for new team members and for yourself if you ever need to revisit the project after months or years. It's a simple and effective way to future-proof your code.

Teamwork

Imagine you're in the middle of a project and realize you need help to meet the deadline. Your project manager assigns another developer to assist you. You're relieved, but the next day, the new developer needs an introduction to the codebase to get started.

Your schedule is tight, so you face a dilemma: spend half a day explaining the codebase, or let the new developer figure it out alone, which could take hours or days. Neither option is ideal, and both could have been avoided with proper documentation.

Documentation allows new team members to quickly understand the project, saving time and reducing the need for lengthy explanations. It helps everyone get up to speed faster and ensures smoother collaboration.

Professionalism

I write documentation even for my personal projects. Often, I start a project in my free time but then life happens and I have to pause it. Months later, when I return to the project, I always need documentation to remember what I was doing. This aligns with the points I made earlier about the importance of documentation.

Additionally, if you're job hunting and building a portfolio, good-looking projects are not enough. Every developer can create visually appealing websites. To stand out, you need something extra. Having a well-structured README in your portfolio projects is a great start.

Technical recruiters focus on your code and GitHub repository, not just the visual aspects of your portfolio. Proper documentation shows professionalism and makes a strong first impression. And let's be honest — first impressions are crucial in the hiring process. They often set the tone for future opportunities.

Personal Growth

Lastly, I want to mention that writing documentation is not just a technical task. It's also a matter of personal growth. By documenting your work, you recap everything you've developed but in natural language. This helps you explain the core functionality of your features more easily.

Additionally, writing documentation gets you into the habit of writing things down and reinforcing newly learned or complex parts of your project. This practice can significantly improve your ability to recall and discuss your project with coworkers, your boss, or even clients.

Conclusion

In summary, there are no downsides to reading and writing documentation. While it takes some time, especially in high-pressure environments, it is absolutely worth it. Stepping back to write concise documentation or browse through the docs of your most-used tools can significantly enhance your development process.

Reading documentation helps you learn directly from the creators of the tools you use, broadening your knowledge and leading to a deeper understanding. This makes you a more efficient and effective developer.

Writing documentation is crucial for recalling and explaining your work. It saves time in the long run, especially when others need to understand your project or when you revisit it after months or years. It also makes you appear more professional and is a valuable tool for personal growth.

I encourage every developer to embrace the tasks of reading and writing documentation. Make it a habit to browse through the documentation regularly. For example, I always have the Laravel docs open as my first browser tab. It saves time and reinforces the habit of using documentation. But enough for today, I already sound like one of those guys in advertisement.

Happy Coding!