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Product Overview: ApexDoc
Introduction
ApexDoc, developed by the Salesforce Foundation, is a Java-based application designed to generate comprehensive documentation for Salesforce Apex classes. This tool is invaluable for developers and teams working with Apex, as it automates the process of creating detailed and structured documentation.
Key Features and Functionality
Documentation Generation
ApexDoc generates a set of static HTML pages that fully document each Apex class, including its properties, methods, and other elements. Users simply need to specify the location of their Apex class files, and the tool will produce well-organized HTML documentation.
Comment Block Parsing
ApexDoc scans Apex class files for comment blocks that start with `/**` and end with `*/`. These comment blocks can contain special tokens such as `@description`, `@param`, `@return`, and `@example`, which provide detailed information about the classes, methods, and properties. This ensures that the generated documentation is rich in context and helpful for understanding the code.
Customization Options
Users can customize various aspects of the generated documentation using command-line parameters. For example, you can specify:
- The source directory containing the Apex class files.
- The target directory where the documentation will be generated.
- A URL for the source code to provide links within the documentation.
- Custom HTML files for the home page and banner sections of the generated pages.
Navigation and Structure
The generated HTML pages include an expandable menu on the left side, showing a 2-level tree structure of all classes. This makes it easy to navigate through the documentation. Each class page includes detailed information about its properties and methods, along with any user-provided documentation comments.
Special Tokens and Tags
ApexDoc supports various special tokens and tags within the comment blocks, such as:
@description: Provides an overview of the method or property.@param: Describes the parameters of a method.@return: Describes the return value of a method.@example: Includes example code usage, which is wrapped in code tags to preserve whitespace.
Benefits
- Automated Documentation: ApexDoc automates the documentation process, saving developers time and ensuring that documentation is consistent and up-to-date.
- Customizable: The tool allows for various customization options, making it flexible to fit different project needs.
- Clear Navigation: The generated HTML pages are well-structured, making it easy for developers to find and understand the documentation.
- Comprehensive Details: The documentation includes detailed information about classes, methods, properties, and other elements, along with user-provided comments.
Overall, ApexDoc is a powerful tool for generating high-quality documentation for Salesforce Apex classes, enhancing code readability, maintainability, and collaboration within development teams.
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