Mastering Python's Docstrings: Documentation Made Easy

Every time, you cannot expect the reader of your code to be a professional programmer who can understand the code just by seeing it. Sometimes, it will be a layman who will be reading your code, so, in order to make them understand your code, documentation is required which has all the main details and functionality of your code.

Python offers a method for it too. It is known as Docstrings and you will be going to learn extensively about it in this article. So, let's get started.

Docstrings in Python are used to provide documentation or a description of a Python module, function, class, or method. It can even be used to describe the data types,strings, variables, and the scope of those variables that are in the Python code.

They are written as string literals, placed at the beginning of the code block, and serve as a form of documentation that helps users understand the purpose, functionality, and usage of the code. Docstrings are an essential part of writing well-documented and maintainable Python code.

• Better Documentation: Docstrings act as documentation that can be accessed directly within the code, reducing the need to refer to external documentation.
• Readability: Similar to recursive functions, docstrings can make the code more readable and expressive, making it easier for others (and yourself) to understand its purpose and usage.
• Aid in IDE Autocomplete and Introspection: IDEs and code editors can use docstrings to provide autocomplete suggestions, parameter descriptions, and other helpful information while writing code.