• magic_lobster_party@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    According to who? If I have access to the source code, which I often do, I’d rather just read the code. Chances are that if documentation exists, it’s no longer up to date.

    • auchschonda@feddit.de
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      1 year ago

      Modularity. Part of it is defining a proper Interface for using the hidden complexity.

      Exceptions are only one example. Functions can have behavior, inner states, prior calling requirements etc… you cannot read from its mere prototype.

      Do you really want everyone to read the inner code to learn that?

      Chances are that if documentation exists, it’s no longer up to date.

      This risk also applies to descriptive function names. They can be poor, wrong or outdated, too.