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Product Overview: ScalaDoc
Introduction
ScalaDoc is Scala’s primary documentation tool, designed to generate API documentation directly from the comments in Scala source code. It is analogous to other comment-based documentation systems like Javadoc, but tailored specifically for Scala projects.
Key Features and Functionality
API Documentation
ScalaDoc’s core feature is the generation of API documentation from code comments. This allows developers to document their code in a structured and accessible manner, making it easier for users to understand the library or project.
Markdown Syntax
In Scala 3, ScalaDoc has adopted Markdown as the primary language for formatting comments, replacing the legacy Wikidoc syntax. This change enhances readability and compatibility. Users can still opt for Wikidoc syntax using specific directives or global flags.
Static Sites and Blog Posts
ScalaDoc enables the creation of static sites for documentation and blog posts, similar to tools like Jekyll or Docusaurus. This feature allows for the seamless integration of API documentation with other types of content, making it convenient to manage and present documentation alongside blog posts.
Scaladoc-specific Tags and Features
ScalaDoc extends Markdown with additional features such as linking to API definitions, which can be used within static documentation and blog posts. This allows for a blend of dynamic API documentation and static content. Other features include tags for structuring comments, variables for reusing information, and groups for organizing semantically-related members.
Experimental Features
- Snippet Compiling: An experimental feature that allows compiling snippets attached to docstrings to ensure they behave as intended. This feature is similar to tools like `tut` or `mdoc` but is integrated directly into ScalaDoc.
- Type-based Search: This feature, powered by the Inkuire search engine, allows users to search for methods and fields by their types rather than just their names. This enhances the search functionality, making it more efficient for developers to find specific functions.
Social Links and Customization
ScalaDoc provides an easy way to configure social media links, such as Twitter or Discord, within the generated documentation. This helps in integrating the documentation with community engagement platforms.
Configuration and Customization
Users can customize various aspects of ScalaDoc, including the classpath, compilation outputs, destination directory, and memory allocation. The scalaDocOptions property allows for additional configuration options to be passed to the ScalaDoc tool.
Usage
To use ScalaDoc effectively, developers should write clear and concise doc comments that include essential information such as pre- and postconditions, performance characteristics, and use the available markup and tags to structure the comments. This ensures that the generated documentation is informative and easy to navigate.
In summary, ScalaDoc is a powerful tool for generating and managing documentation in Scala projects, offering a range of features that enhance readability, usability, and customization. Its integration with Markdown, static site generation, and experimental features make it a versatile and valuable asset for Scala developers.
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