Why is Standard Library Documentation Not Easy to Understand?

Standard library documentation often falls short in its accessibility, much like programming inheritance or understanding code without prior experience. This article aims to demystify the reasons behind this challenge and provide insights into making this documentation more user-friendly.

Who is the Audience?

Standard library documentation is crafted for experienced programmers who possess both the skills and motivation to grasp complex concepts. However, for newcomers to the field or those with less background, this documentation can be overwhelming. This is not an uncommon issue; it's similar to the challenge faced by a literary scholar trying to understand ancient texts that require specialized knowledge to comprehend.

The primary reason behind this situation is that documentation is often written by developers, who are skilled and in a position to understand the intricacies of the code. Consequently, they tend to assume that the reader has extensive prior knowledge, leading to insufficient context and detail in the documentation. This gap in information accessibility can be significant, especially when it comes to understanding the underlying mechanisms and theories.

Why is Documentation Often Hard to Understand?

Beyond the inherent complexity, creating comprehensive and clear documentation is a tedious and rarely appreciated task. Developers who have the talent, energy, and imagination often turn to coding and prefer to leave documentation to less skilled individuals, resulting in subpar documentation. Moreover, the act of writing documentation can be seen as a necessary evil that detracts from more enjoyable and productive coding activities.

Another key factor is the incentives behind documentation efforts. Libraries built by large companies, such as Google, are generally well-documented, as managers have strong incentives to ensure their accurate and comprehensive nature. This is because such libraries are often extensively used internally by other teams within the company. In contrast, smaller or freelance projects may lack the necessary resources and motivation to produce high-quality documentation.

Transitioning from Beginner to Advanced

For someone new to programming, starting with a comprehensive book that provides a solid foundation in the language's basics is highly recommended. Once you have a solid understanding of the language, you can then move on to using online documentation. This approach not only reduces frustration but also allows you to build a robust knowledge base that can help you tackle more complex concepts as you progress.

It’s essential to recognize that the learning curve for programming can be steep, and resources like books and tutorials play a crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap. Professional developers like my friend, a tax preparer, who has extensive certifications, can easily comprehend tax laws but struggle with programming concepts. This example illustrates the importance of structured learning and the supportive role of well-documented resources in various fields.

Improvement in Documentation

The landscape of programming documentation is gradually improving, thanks to the efforts of passionate developers and companies. For instance, Microsoft, a leading tech giant, has made significant strides in enhancing its documentation, now providing not only examples but also engaging stories and narratives to make the learning process more intuitive and engaging.

The rise of frameworks like Flutter and Dart has also brought about a new era of documentation. These frameworks have set higher standards for documentation by including detailed and practical examples, making it easier for developers to understand and utilize their features.

The key takeaway is that while standard library documentation remains challenging for many, the continuous efforts of the programming community are helping to bridge this gap. With time, patience, and the right resources, anyone can navigate the complexities of programming documentation and confidently use the vast array of programming libraries and frameworks available.