I don't disagree with anything in the post... I'm curious though if docs really do improve developer velocity as much as people who advocate for robust documentation claim.
My experience tells me that very few devs read the docs. In-editor hints and early feedback seem to much more effective.
I suppose the counter claim would be, "but when they don't read the docs and ask, you can shoot them a link to some required reading." That's a decent positive feedback loop.
Docs are great. But are they THAT GREAT? I don't know.
Gimme a hot take —this is perfectly lukewarm! Just kidding…
> are they THAT GREAT?
98%!
> very few devs read the docs
You sure about that? We all have anecdotal evidence about the squeaky-wheel devs who make their lack of reading obvious. Using them as evidence for “devs dont read” is eerily close to (if not precisely) argumentum ad ignorantiam.
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[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 16.3 ms ] threadMy experience tells me that very few devs read the docs. In-editor hints and early feedback seem to much more effective.
I suppose the counter claim would be, "but when they don't read the docs and ask, you can shoot them a link to some required reading." That's a decent positive feedback loop.
Docs are great. But are they THAT GREAT? I don't know.
> are they THAT GREAT?
98%!
> very few devs read the docs
You sure about that? We all have anecdotal evidence about the squeaky-wheel devs who make their lack of reading obvious. Using them as evidence for “devs dont read” is eerily close to (if not precisely) argumentum ad ignorantiam.
I 100% do not buy the “they don’t read“ trope.
I similarly bring anecdotal evidence only.