When various kinds of software products are developed then not only the executable files and the source code are developed but also various kinds of documents such as users’ manual, software requirements specification (SRS) documents, design documents, test documents, installation manual, etc are also developed as part of any software engineering process. All these documents are a vital part of good software development practice. Good documents are very useful and server the following purposes:
• Good documents enhance understandability and maintainability of a software product. They reduce the effort and time required for maintenance.
• Use documents help the users in effectively using the system.
• Good documents help in effectively handling the manpower turnover problem. Even when an engineer leaves the organization, and a new engineer comes in, he can build up the required knowledge easily.
• Production of good documents helps the manager in effectively tracking the progress of the project.
The project manager knows that measurable progress is achieved if a piece of work is done and the required documents have been produced and reviewed.
Different types of software documents can broadly be classified into the following:
• Internal documentation
• External documentation
Internal documentation is the code comprehension features provided as part of the source code itself. Internal documentation is provided through appropriate module headers and comments embedded in the source code. Internal documentation is also provided through the useful variable names, module and function headers, code indentation, code structuring, use of enumerated types and constant identifiers, use of user-defined data types, etc.
