jsdoc vs swagger-jsdoc vs documentation vs apidoc
JavaScript Documentation Tools Comparison
1 Year
jsdocswagger-jsdocdocumentationapidocSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Documentation Tools?

JavaScript documentation tools are essential for generating and maintaining documentation for APIs and codebases. They help developers create clear, structured, and accessible documentation that can be easily integrated into projects. These tools facilitate better understanding, usage, and maintenance of APIs, ultimately improving collaboration among developers and enhancing the overall quality of software projects. Each tool has its unique features and use cases, catering to different documentation needs and preferences.

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jsdoc2,130,25815,1951.53 MB4466 months agoApache-2.0
swagger-jsdoc651,7141,726712 kB392 years agoMIT
documentation82,7735,7861.88 MB211a year agoISC
apidoc77,3899,717556 kB852 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: jsdoc vs swagger-jsdoc vs documentation vs apidoc

Documentation Format

  • jsdoc:

    JSDoc primarily generates HTML documentation, but it can also produce other formats with plugins. It is highly customizable, allowing developers to tailor the output to their needs.

  • swagger-jsdoc:

    Swagger-jsdoc generates OpenAPI specifications in JSON format, which can be used with Swagger UI to create interactive API documentation. This is particularly useful for API consumers who want to explore and test endpoints.

  • documentation:

    Documentation.js can output documentation in various formats, including HTML, Markdown, and JSON, making it versatile for different use cases and audiences.

  • apidoc:

    Apidoc generates documentation in a simple HTML format, focusing primarily on RESTful APIs. It provides a clean and user-friendly interface for API consumers.

Ease of Use

  • jsdoc:

    JSDoc is widely recognized and has extensive documentation and community support, making it relatively easy to learn. Its established conventions help new users get started quickly.

  • swagger-jsdoc:

    Swagger-jsdoc is easy to use if you are already familiar with JSDoc syntax. It integrates seamlessly into existing projects, but understanding OpenAPI specifications is necessary for effective use.

  • documentation:

    Documentation.js has a moderate learning curve, as it supports various features and configurations. However, once set up, it provides a flexible documentation generation process.

  • apidoc:

    Apidoc is straightforward to set up and use, requiring minimal configuration. Its simplicity makes it ideal for projects that need quick documentation without extensive setup.

Customization

  • jsdoc:

    JSDoc is highly customizable, supporting various tags and plugins that allow developers to extend its functionality and tailor the output to specific requirements.

  • swagger-jsdoc:

    Swagger-jsdoc allows for customization of OpenAPI specifications through JSDoc comments, enabling developers to define detailed API behaviors and parameters.

  • documentation:

    Documentation.js provides a high level of customization, allowing developers to define their own templates and styles for the generated documentation.

  • apidoc:

    Apidoc offers limited customization options compared to other tools. It focuses on generating straightforward API documentation without extensive configuration.

Community and Support

  • jsdoc:

    JSDoc boasts a large and active community, with extensive documentation, tutorials, and plugins available. This makes it one of the most supported documentation tools in the JavaScript ecosystem.

  • swagger-jsdoc:

    Swagger-jsdoc benefits from the larger OpenAPI community, providing ample resources, examples, and support for users looking to implement API documentation effectively.

  • documentation:

    Documentation.js has a growing community and offers good support through GitHub and documentation, making it easier for users to find help and resources.

  • apidoc:

    Apidoc has a smaller community compared to other tools, but it is still actively maintained and has a decent amount of resources available for users.

Integration

  • jsdoc:

    JSDoc integrates well with many build systems and can be easily incorporated into existing projects, making it a popular choice among developers.

  • swagger-jsdoc:

    Swagger-jsdoc is designed to work seamlessly with Swagger UI, allowing for a smooth integration of documentation and API testing, which is beneficial for teams focused on API development.

  • documentation:

    Documentation.js can integrate with various build tools and workflows, making it suitable for projects that require flexible documentation generation as part of their CI/CD processes.

  • apidoc:

    Apidoc can be easily integrated into existing projects with minimal setup, making it a convenient choice for teams looking to add documentation without significant changes to their workflow.

How to Choose: jsdoc vs swagger-jsdoc vs documentation vs apidoc
  • jsdoc:

    Select JSDoc if you want a widely adopted and robust documentation generator that supports a variety of JavaScript features and allows for extensive customization. It's ideal for projects that require detailed API documentation and have a large codebase.

  • swagger-jsdoc:

    Use Swagger-jsdoc if you are working with REST APIs and want to create OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) specifications directly from your JSDoc comments. This tool is perfect for teams looking to integrate API documentation with API design and testing.

  • documentation:

    Opt for Documentation.js if you are looking for a versatile tool that can generate documentation in multiple formats (HTML, Markdown, etc.) and supports ES6 features. It's great for projects that require a more comprehensive documentation solution that can adapt to various formats.

  • apidoc:

    Choose Apidoc if you need a simple and straightforward solution for generating API documentation directly from your code comments. It is particularly useful for RESTful APIs and allows for easy integration with existing projects.

README for jsdoc

JSDoc

Build Status

An API documentation generator for JavaScript.

Want to contribute to JSDoc? Please read CONTRIBUTING.md.

Installation and Usage

JSDoc supports stable versions of Node.js 12.0.0 and later. You can install JSDoc globally or in your project's node_modules folder.

To install the latest version on npm globally (might require sudo; learn how to fix this):

npm install -g jsdoc

To install the latest version on npm locally and save it in your package's package.json file:

npm install --save-dev jsdoc

To install the latest development version locally, without updating your project's package.json file:

npm install git+https://github.com/jsdoc/jsdoc.git

If you installed JSDoc locally, the JSDoc command-line tool is available in ./node_modules/.bin. To generate documentation for the file yourJavaScriptFile.js:

./node_modules/.bin/jsdoc yourJavaScriptFile.js

If you installed JSDoc globally, run the jsdoc command:

jsdoc yourJavaScriptFile.js

By default, the generated documentation is saved in a directory named out. You can use the --destination (-d) option to specify another directory.

Run jsdoc --help for a complete list of command-line options.

Templates and tools

The JSDoc community has created templates and other tools to help you generate and customize your documentation. Here are a few of them:

Templates

Build tools

Other tools

For more information

License

JSDoc is copyright (c) 2011-present Michael Mathews micmath@gmail.com and the contributors to JSDoc.

JSDoc is free software, licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. See the file LICENSE.md in this distribution for more details.