Docs as code

This methodology is a loose set of tools and techniques that have generally settled on the overarching name “docs as code” to describe itself. It is what I am most familiar with, what developers like you are most likely to be familiar with, and what I cover mostly for the rest of this chapter and book.

Docs as code aims to follow principles for documentation similar to those of developers. This includes using markup languages in plain text files in a text editor to write, version control to manage collaboration, testing, continuous processes, and more. As a developer, you have probably created documentation using “docs as code” without even realizing it, as it’s often the default way many developers create documentation. But for many technical writers, it’s a new workflow and tools ecosystem.

On the positive side, the barrier to entry is low for those with development experience. The choice of content creation tool is largely...