Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is Documentation as Code?

Documentation as Code (DaC) is a methodology that applies software development principles to documentation. It involves storing documentation in version control alongside code, using automated testing and continuous integration, and treating documentation updates with the same rigor as code changes.

Why should we adopt Documentation as Code?

DaC provides several benefits:

  • Consistency: Documentation stays synchronized with code changes
  • Collaboration: Multiple team members can contribute simultaneously
  • Quality: Automated testing ensures documentation accuracy
  • Automation: Reduces manual effort in publishing and maintenance
  • Traceability: Full audit trail of all documentation changes

How does Documentation as Code differ from traditional documentation?

Traditional Documentation Documentation as Code
Stored separately from code Stored alongside code in version control
Manual updates and publishing Automated testing and deployment
Limited collaboration Git-based collaboration workflows
Version inconsistencies Synchronized with software releases
Proprietary formats Open formats (Markdown, HTML)

Technical Implementation

What tools do I need to get started?

Essential tools include:

  • Version Control: Git and Azure DevOps Repositories
  • Static Site Generator: DocFX
  • Hosting Platform: Azure App Service
  • CI/CD: Azure Pipelines
  • Editor: Any text editor with Markdown support

Can I use other static site generators besides DocFX?

Yes, while this guide focuses on DocFX, you can apply DaC principles with other generators:

  • GitBook: Great for user manuals and guides
  • MkDocs: Python-based with excellent themes
  • Hugo: Fast and flexible Go-based generator
  • Gatsby: React-based with rich plugin ecosystem
  • VuePress: Vue.js-based documentation platform

How do I migrate existing documentation?

Follow these steps:

  1. Assess Current Content: Inventory existing documentation
  2. Convert Formats: Transform content to Markdown
  3. Restructure: Organize content logically
  4. Set Up Repository: Create Git repository structure
  5. Configure Tools: Set up DocFX and pipelines
  6. Test and Validate: Ensure all content renders correctly
  7. Train Team: Educate team on new workflows

Content Management

How do I organize documentation in the repository?

Use a clear folder structure:

docs/
├── getting-started/     # Onboarding content
├── user-guides/        # End-user documentation
├── developer-guides/   # Technical documentation
├── api-reference/      # API documentation
├── tutorials/          # Step-by-step guides
├── architecture/       # System design docs
├── troubleshooting/    # Problem-solving guides
└── resources/          # Additional materials

What should be included in frontmatter?

Essential metadata includes:

---
title: "Descriptive Title"
description: "Brief content summary"
tags: ["relevant", "searchable", "tags"]
category: "content-category"
difficulty: "beginner|intermediate|advanced"
last_updated: "YYYY-MM-DD"
author: "Author Name"
reviewers: ["Reviewer1", "Reviewer2"]
---

How do I handle images and media files?

Best practices for media:

  • Store images in organized folders (e.g., images/feature-name/)
  • Use descriptive filenames
  • Optimize image sizes for web
  • Include alt text for accessibility
  • Use relative paths for portability
  • Consider using a CDN for large media files

Workflow and Collaboration

How do code and documentation updates work together?

Integrate documentation into development workflow:

  1. Feature Branch: Create branch for both code and documentation changes
  2. Parallel Development: Update documentation alongside code
  3. Pull Request Review: Review both code and documentation together
  4. Automated Testing: Validate documentation builds
  5. Synchronized Deployment: Deploy documentation with code releases

Who should write and maintain documentation?

Documentation responsibility should be shared:

  • Developers: API documentation, technical guides
  • Product Managers: User guides, feature documentation
  • Technical Writers: Style guides, complex tutorials
  • DevOps Engineers: Deployment and infrastructure docs
  • Subject Matter Experts: Specialized technical content

How do we ensure documentation quality?

Implement quality controls:

  • Peer Review: Require pull request reviews
  • Style Guidelines: Establish and enforce writing standards
  • Automated Testing: Validate links, formatting, and builds
  • Regular Audits: Schedule periodic content reviews
  • User Feedback: Collect and act on reader feedback

Deployment and Operations

What hosting options are available?

Several hosting platforms support static documentation sites:

  • Azure App Service: Full-featured web hosting
  • Azure Static Web Apps: Optimized for static content
  • GitHub Pages: Free hosting for open source projects
  • Netlify: Easy deployment with form handling
  • Vercel: Optimized for frontend frameworks
  • AWS S3 + CloudFront: Scalable cloud hosting

How do I set up custom domains and SSL?

For Azure App Service:

  1. Purchase Domain: Use Azure or external registrar
  2. Configure DNS: Point domain to App Service
  3. Add Custom Domain: Configure in Azure portal
  4. Enable SSL: Use managed certificate or upload custom certificate
  5. Force HTTPS: Redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS

How do I monitor documentation performance?

Track key metrics:

  • Usage Analytics: Page views, user sessions, popular content
  • Performance Metrics: Load times, Core Web Vitals
  • Search Analytics: Query success rates, failed searches
  • Build Metrics: Build times, failure rates
  • User Feedback: Ratings, comments, support tickets

Troubleshooting

My documentation site isn't updating after deployment

Common causes and solutions:

  1. Cache Issues: Clear CDN and browser cache
  2. Build Failures: Check pipeline logs for errors
  3. Configuration Problems: Verify docfx.json settings
  4. Authentication: Ensure service connections are valid
  5. Branch Settings: Confirm deploying from correct branch

Links are broken after moving content

Fix broken links systematically:

  1. Identify Broken Links: Use automated link checking tools
  2. Update References: Search and replace old paths
  3. Use Relative Paths: Avoid absolute URLs for internal content
  4. Implement Redirects: Set up URL redirects for moved content
  5. Test Thoroughly: Validate all links before deployment

Build times are too slow

Optimize build performance:

  1. Incremental Builds: Only build changed content
  2. Parallel Processing: Use multiple build agents
  3. Cache Dependencies: Cache DocFX and Node.js dependencies
  4. Optimize Images: Compress and resize images
  5. Exclude Unnecessary Files: Update .gitignore and build filters

Search functionality isn't working

Debug search issues:

  1. Check Index Generation: Ensure search index builds correctly
  2. Verify Configuration: Confirm search settings in docfx.json
  3. Test Search Terms: Try different keywords and phrases
  4. Review Plugins: Ensure search plugins are properly installed
  5. Check JavaScript: Verify search scripts load correctly

Advanced Topics

Can I customize the documentation theme?

Yes, DocFX supports theme customization:

  1. Override Templates: Create custom template files
  2. Modify Styles: Add custom CSS for branding
  3. Extend Functionality: Add JavaScript for enhanced features
  4. Create Plugins: Develop custom DocFX plugins
  5. Use Community Themes: Explore available third-party themes

How do I integrate API documentation?

DocFX excels at API documentation:

  1. Source Code Comments: Use XML documentation comments
  2. OpenAPI Specification: Import OpenAPI/Swagger definitions
  3. Cross-References: Link API docs with conceptual content
  4. Code Samples: Include working code examples
  5. Interactive Features: Add API testing capabilities

Can I automate content generation?

Automate documentation creation:

  1. Code Generation: Generate docs from code annotations
  2. Template Scripts: Create content from templates
  3. Data Integration: Pull content from external systems
  4. Scheduled Updates: Automatically refresh dynamic content
  5. AI Assistance: Use AI tools for content suggestions

Getting Help

Where can I find additional resources?

Helpful resources include:

How do I get support for implementation issues?

Support options:

  1. Internal Team: Consult with DevOps and development teams
  2. Documentation: Review official documentation and guides
  3. Community Forums: Ask questions in relevant communities
  4. Professional Services: Consider consulting services for complex implementations
  5. Training: Invest in team training and certification

This FAQ addresses common questions about Documentation as Code implementation. For specific technical issues, consult the detailed guides in each section or reach out to the community for support.

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