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Everything about Docstring

String literal that provides documentation per computer programming language syntax

A docstring is a string literal that annotates an associated section of source code. It provides for the same utility as a comment, but unlike a comment is a string literal and is retained as part of the running program. Some development tools display docstring information as part of an interactive help system. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: DocstringA 5-minute orientation
  2. Pick up a classic book: Introduction to Computing Using PythonThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  3. Read the landmark paper: Less Is More: DocString Compression in Code GenerationCited 6 times
  4. Go sideways: Comparison of programming languages (syntax)A closely related topic
  5. Go sideways: Python syntax and semanticsA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A string literal specified in source code that is used, like a comment, to document a specific segment of code, but remains available at run-time.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Examples

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics