Python Documentation Strings: Explanations and Notes on Python Functions and Classes
Python Docstrings are an essential tool for associating documentation with Python modules, functions, classes, and methods. They provide a clear, concise format for explaining the purpose, arguments, return values, and potential exceptions of a piece of code.
A typical Python Docstring follows a specific structure, similar to Google-style Docstrings. It begins with a summary line, followed by a blank line and a more elaborate description. The summary line may be on the same line as the opening quotes or on the next line.
For example, consider the following Docstring for a simple function:
```python def add_numbers(a, b): """ Adds two numbers and returns the result.
```
In this example, the summary line is on the second line, while the detailed description follows. The Args, Returns, and Raises sections provide concise explanations of the function's parameters, return value, and potential exceptions, respectively.
Python strings are sequences of characters enclosed within single quotes or double quotes. They are often used to define the Docstrings themselves.
Docstring processing tools will strip a uniform amount of indentation from the second and further lines of the Docstring, making it easier to read and understand. This uniformity is one of the key benefits of using Docstrings in Python.
Moreover, a class's Docstring can be accessed using the 'help' method. This allows developers to quickly understand the purpose and functionality of a class without having to read through the entire code.
In conclusion, Python Docstrings are an invaluable resource for documenting Python code. They provide a clear, concise, and consistent format for explaining the purpose, arguments, return values, and potential exceptions of a piece of code, making it easier for other developers to understand and use the code.
