@microsoft/api-extractor vs typedoc vs tsd vs dts-generator
TypeScript Documentation and Type Definitions Comparison
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What's TypeScript Documentation and Type Definitions?

These packages are essential tools for managing TypeScript definitions and generating documentation. They help developers maintain type safety and provide clear, structured documentation for TypeScript projects. Each package has its unique focus, from extracting API information to generating comprehensive documentation, making them valuable in different scenarios of TypeScript development.

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@microsoft/api-extractor1,793,8516,0731.98 MB9284 days agoMIT
typedoc1,627,8627,9561.95 MB59 days agoApache-2.0
tsd194,4162,42794.9 kB526 months agoMIT
dts-generator15,263521-416 years agoBSD-3-Clause
Feature Comparison: @microsoft/api-extractor vs typedoc vs tsd vs dts-generator

Purpose

  • @microsoft/api-extractor:

    @microsoft/api-extractor is designed to analyze TypeScript projects and extract API information, generating declaration files (.d.ts) that can be published alongside libraries. It ensures that the API surface is well-defined and consistent, making it easier for consumers to use the library.

  • typedoc:

    typedoc is a documentation generator specifically for TypeScript projects. It parses the TypeScript source code and generates HTML documentation, allowing developers to create user-friendly guides that reflect the structure and types of their code.

  • tsd:

    tsd serves as a package manager for TypeScript definition files, allowing developers to easily install and manage type definitions for JavaScript libraries. It simplifies the process of integrating third-party libraries into TypeScript projects by providing a straightforward way to access type definitions.

  • dts-generator:

    dts-generator focuses on generating TypeScript declaration files from existing JavaScript codebases. It scans the JavaScript files and creates corresponding .d.ts files, allowing TypeScript users to benefit from type safety without requiring a complete rewrite of the codebase.

Output Quality

  • @microsoft/api-extractor:

    The output quality of @microsoft/api-extractor is high, as it ensures that the generated declaration files are accurate and well-structured. It also provides tools for validating the API surface, ensuring that any changes in the codebase are reflected in the documentation and type definitions.

  • typedoc:

    typedoc generates high-quality documentation that is directly tied to the TypeScript source code. It produces well-structured HTML documentation that includes type information, making it easy for users to navigate and understand the API.

  • tsd:

    The output quality of tsd is dependent on the availability of type definitions in the DefinitelyTyped repository. It provides a convenient way to access community-maintained definitions, but the quality may vary based on the contributions from the community.

  • dts-generator:

    dts-generator produces declaration files that are functional but may require additional manual adjustments for complex scenarios. While it automates the generation process, the quality of the output can vary based on the complexity of the original JavaScript code.

Ease of Use

  • @microsoft/api-extractor:

    @microsoft/api-extractor requires some initial setup and configuration but provides comprehensive features for managing API surface and documentation. Once set up, it offers a streamlined process for maintaining type definitions and documentation as the project evolves.

  • typedoc:

    typedoc is easy to use for TypeScript projects, requiring minimal configuration to generate documentation. It integrates well with TypeScript's existing structure, making it accessible for developers familiar with TypeScript.

  • tsd:

    tsd is user-friendly and straightforward, allowing developers to quickly install and manage type definitions with simple commands. It is ideal for those who want to integrate third-party libraries without delving into complex configurations.

  • dts-generator:

    dts-generator is relatively easy to use, requiring minimal configuration to start generating declaration files. It is suitable for developers who want a quick solution without extensive setup, although it may require some manual adjustments for optimal results.

Customization

  • @microsoft/api-extractor:

    @microsoft/api-extractor offers extensive customization options for generating declaration files and documentation. Developers can configure various aspects of the output, including file structure, comments, and API validation rules, allowing for tailored results that meet specific project needs.

  • typedoc:

    typedoc allows for significant customization of the generated documentation, including themes, templates, and included/excluded files. This flexibility enables developers to create documentation that aligns with their project's branding and structure.

  • tsd:

    tsd has basic customization capabilities, allowing developers to specify which type definitions to install. However, it relies on the community for the quality and structure of the definitions, limiting the extent of customization available.

  • dts-generator:

    dts-generator provides limited customization options, focusing primarily on generating declaration files from existing code. While it can handle basic scenarios, developers may need to manually edit the output for more complex requirements.

Community Support

  • @microsoft/api-extractor:

    @microsoft/api-extractor is backed by Microsoft, ensuring strong community support and regular updates. The documentation is comprehensive, and there are numerous resources available for troubleshooting and best practices.

  • typedoc:

    typedoc has a growing community of users and contributors, with active development and support. The documentation is well-maintained, and users can find various resources and examples to help them get started.

  • tsd:

    tsd benefits from the larger DefinitelyTyped community, which provides a wealth of type definitions and support. The community-driven nature ensures that many popular libraries have readily available type definitions, facilitating integration into TypeScript projects.

  • dts-generator:

    dts-generator has a smaller community compared to other tools, which may result in limited support and resources. However, it is still actively maintained and has a dedicated user base that contributes to its development.

How to Choose: @microsoft/api-extractor vs typedoc vs tsd vs dts-generator
  • @microsoft/api-extractor:

    Choose @microsoft/api-extractor if you need a robust solution for managing and publishing TypeScript declaration files. It is ideal for libraries and projects that require detailed API documentation and type definitions, ensuring consistency and quality in your TypeScript projects.

  • typedoc:

    Use typedoc when you need to generate documentation directly from your TypeScript source code. It is perfect for projects where you want to create detailed, customizable documentation that reflects your code structure and types, making it easier for users to understand your API.

  • tsd:

    Opt for tsd if you are looking for a simple way to manage TypeScript definition files for your projects. It is suitable for developers who want to quickly install and manage type definitions from DefinitelyTyped, making it easier to integrate third-party libraries into TypeScript projects.

  • dts-generator:

    Select dts-generator when you want a lightweight tool to generate TypeScript declaration files from JavaScript code. It is particularly useful for projects that need to provide type definitions for existing JavaScript libraries without extensive TypeScript support.

Similar Npm Packages to @microsoft/api-extractor

@microsoft/api-extractor is a powerful tool developed by Microsoft for managing and extracting API declarations from TypeScript projects. It helps developers create and maintain API documentation and type definition files, ensuring that the public API of a library is well-defined and consistent. This tool is particularly useful for large projects where maintaining API stability and documentation can become cumbersome. By generating API reports and type definitions, api-extractor facilitates better collaboration and understanding among developers who use or contribute to the library.

While @microsoft/api-extractor is a robust solution, there are several alternatives that also provide functionality for generating type definitions and documentation from TypeScript code. Here are a few noteworthy alternatives:

  • dts-generator is a tool designed to generate TypeScript definition files (.d.ts) from JavaScript files. It is particularly useful for projects that do not have TypeScript definitions and need to create them from existing JavaScript code. dts-generator allows developers to specify the entry points and generate type definitions that can be used by TypeScript consumers, making it a great choice for libraries transitioning to TypeScript or for JavaScript libraries that need type support.
  • tsd is a tool that focuses on managing TypeScript definition files. It allows developers to install and manage type definitions for JavaScript libraries that do not include their own TypeScript types. tsd simplifies the process of finding and installing type definitions, making it easier for developers to use JavaScript libraries in TypeScript projects. While it is not a direct competitor to api-extractor, it serves a complementary role in the TypeScript ecosystem.
  • typedoc is a documentation generator specifically for TypeScript projects. It generates HTML documentation from TypeScript source files, making it easy to create and maintain comprehensive documentation for libraries and applications. While typedoc does not focus on API extraction in the same way as api-extractor, it is an excellent choice for developers looking to create user-friendly documentation that showcases their TypeScript code.

To see how @microsoft/api-extractor compares with dts-generator, tsd, and typedoc, check out the comparison: Comparing @microsoft/api-extractor vs dts-generator vs tsd vs typedoc.

Similar Npm Packages to typedoc

typedoc is a documentation generator specifically designed for TypeScript projects. It extracts type information and generates comprehensive documentation in various formats, including HTML and JSON. With its focus on TypeScript, typedoc provides detailed insights into types, interfaces, and classes, making it an excellent choice for developers looking to create well-structured documentation for their TypeScript codebases. Its ability to generate documentation directly from the source code helps maintain accuracy and consistency, ensuring that the documentation evolves alongside the code.

While typedoc is a powerful tool for TypeScript documentation, there are several alternatives available for generating documentation in JavaScript and TypeScript projects. Here are a few noteworthy options:

  • documentation is a documentation generator that works with JavaScript codebases. It analyzes comments in the source code and produces documentation in various formats, including HTML and Markdown. documentation is particularly useful for projects that use JSDoc-style comments, allowing developers to create clear and concise documentation without the need for extensive configuration. If you're working with JavaScript and prefer a straightforward approach to documentation generation, documentation is a solid choice.

  • esdoc is another documentation generator tailored for JavaScript projects. It focuses on providing a simple and effective way to generate documentation from ES6+ code. esdoc supports various features, including plugins for additional functionality, and it can produce documentation in HTML format. If you're looking for a documentation generator that caters specifically to modern JavaScript features, esdoc might be the right fit for your project.

  • jsdoc is one of the most popular documentation generators for JavaScript. It allows developers to write documentation directly in their code using JSDoc comments, which are then parsed to generate comprehensive documentation in HTML format. jsdoc has a large community and extensive plugin support, making it a versatile choice for projects of all sizes. If you're working with JavaScript and want a well-established documentation tool, jsdoc is a reliable option.

To see how typedoc compares with documentation, esdoc, and jsdoc, check out the comparison: Comparing documentation vs esdoc vs jsdoc vs typedoc.

README for @microsoft/api-extractor

@microsoft/api-extractor

API Extractor
      https://api-extractor.com/

API Extractor helps you build better TypeScript library packages. Suppose for example that your company has published an NPM package called "awesome-widgets" that exports many classes and interfaces. As developers start to depend on your library, you may encounter issues such as...

  • Accidental breaks: People keep reporting that their code won't compile after a supposedly "minor" update. To address this, you boldly propose that every awesome-widgets pull request must be approved by an experienced developer from your team. But that proves unrealistic -- nobody has time to look at every single PR! What you really need is a way to detect PRs that change API contracts, and flag them for review. That would focus attention in the right place... but how to do that?

  • Missing exports: Suppose the awesome-widgets package exports an API function AwesomeButton.draw() that requires a parameter of type DrawStyle, but you forgot to export this enum. Things seem fine at first, but when a developer tries to call that function, they discover that there's no way to specify the DrawStyle. How to avoid these oversights?

  • Accidental exports: You meant for your DrawHelper class to be kept internal, but one day you realize it's being exported. When you try to remove it, consumers complain that they're using it. How do we avoid this in the future?

  • Alpha/Beta graduation: You want to release previews of new APIs that are not ready for prime time yet. But if you did a major SemVer bump every time these definitions evolve, the villagers would be after you with torches and pitchforks! A better approach is to designate certain classes/members as alpha quality, then promote them to beta and finally to public as they mature. But how to indicate this to your consumers? (And how to detect scoping mistakes? A public function should never return a beta result.)

  • *.d.ts rollup: You webpacked your library into a nice *.js bundle file -- so why ship your typings as a messy tree of lib/*.d.ts files full of private definitions? Can't we consolidate them into a tidy *.d.ts rollup file? And if you publish internal/beta/public releases, each release type should get its own *.d.ts file with appropriate trimming. Developers building a production project don't want to see a bunch of internal and beta members in their VS Code IntelliSense!

  • Online documentation: You have faithfully annotated each TypeScript member with nice TSDoc descriptions. Now that your library has shipped, it's time to set up a nicely formatted API reference. What tool to use?

API Extractor provides an integrated, professional-quality solution for all these problems. It is invoked at build time by your toolchain and leverages the TypeScript compiler engine to:

  • Detect a project's exported API surface
  • Capture the contracts in a concise report designed to facilitate review
  • Warn about common mistakes (e.g. missing exports, inconsistent visibility, etc.)
  • Generate *.d.ts rollups with trimming according to release type
  • Output API documentation in a portable format that's easy to integrate with your content pipeline

Best of all, API Extractor is free and open source. Join the community and create a pull request!

Getting Started

For more details and support resources, please visit: https://api-extractor.com/

Links

API Extractor is part of the Rush Stack family of projects.

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