jsdoc vs typedoc vs documentation vs esdoc
JavaScript Documentation Generators Comparison
1 Year
jsdoctypedocdocumentationesdocSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Documentation Generators?

JavaScript documentation generators are tools that help developers create and maintain documentation for their codebases. These packages parse source code comments and generate structured documentation in various formats, making it easier for developers to understand, use, and contribute to code. They enhance code readability and provide a way to communicate the purpose and usage of functions, classes, and modules effectively. Each tool has its unique features and strengths, catering to different needs and preferences in the documentation process.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
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Package
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jsdoc1,945,33615,1491.53 MB4444 months agoApache-2.0
typedoc1,647,2107,9561.95 MB57 days agoApache-2.0
documentation67,3645,7841.88 MB210a year agoISC
esdoc49,6692,740-1667 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: jsdoc vs typedoc vs documentation vs esdoc

Language Support

  • jsdoc:

    Supports all versions of JavaScript, making it versatile for legacy and modern codebases alike, with a focus on JSDoc comment syntax.

  • typedoc:

    Designed specifically for TypeScript, it fully supports TypeScript's type annotations and features, providing detailed type information in the generated documentation.

  • documentation:

    Supports JavaScript and Markdown, allowing for flexible documentation formats and easy integration with existing documentation styles.

  • esdoc:

    Primarily focused on ES6+ syntax, making it ideal for modern JavaScript projects that leverage the latest language features.

Output Formats

  • jsdoc:

    Outputs documentation primarily in HTML, with options for additional formats through plugins, making it adaptable for various needs.

  • typedoc:

    Generates HTML documentation that includes rich type information and class diagrams, tailored specifically for TypeScript projects.

  • documentation:

    Generates documentation in HTML, Markdown, and JSON formats, allowing for diverse presentation options and easy integration into websites or other platforms.

  • esdoc:

    Produces HTML documentation with a focus on a clean and modern design, but with limited output format options compared to others.

Customization

  • jsdoc:

    Provides basic customization through templates and styles, but may require additional effort for extensive customization.

  • typedoc:

    Allows for some customization, particularly in terms of theme and layout, but is primarily focused on providing accurate type documentation.

  • documentation:

    Highly customizable with themes and templates, allowing developers to tailor the look and feel of their documentation to match their project's branding.

  • esdoc:

    Offers some customization options but is more limited compared to Documentation, focusing on a standardized output.

Community and Ecosystem

  • jsdoc:

    One of the most established documentation generators with a large community, extensive resources, and numerous plugins available.

  • typedoc:

    Growing community support, especially among TypeScript developers, with a focus on improving TypeScript documentation practices.

  • documentation:

    Has a growing community with active contributions and support, making it easier to find resources and plugins.

  • esdoc:

    Has a smaller community compared to JSDoc but is gaining traction, particularly among modern JavaScript developers.

Ease of Use

  • jsdoc:

    Relatively easy to use, especially for those familiar with JSDoc syntax, but may require additional configuration for advanced features.

  • typedoc:

    Easy to set up for TypeScript projects, leveraging TypeScript's existing structure to generate documentation with minimal configuration.

  • documentation:

    User-friendly setup with straightforward configuration, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

  • esdoc:

    Requires some familiarity with ES6 features, but offers a simple setup for modern JavaScript projects.

How to Choose: jsdoc vs typedoc vs documentation vs esdoc
  • jsdoc:

    Opt for JSDoc if you want a widely-used and well-supported tool that has a large community and extensive documentation. It is perfect for projects that require compatibility with various JavaScript versions and need a straightforward setup for generating documentation from comments.

  • typedoc:

    Choose TypeDoc if your project is written in TypeScript and you want to generate documentation that takes full advantage of TypeScript's type system. It is the best option for TypeScript projects that require in-depth type information and class hierarchies in their documentation.

  • documentation:

    Choose Documentation if you need a modern tool that supports markdown and offers a clean, customizable output. It is ideal for projects that prioritize a user-friendly documentation experience and require integration with various documentation formats.

  • esdoc:

    Select ESDoc if you are looking for a documentation generator that focuses on ES6+ features and provides a rich set of plugins for extended functionality. It is suitable for projects that heavily utilize modern JavaScript syntax and require detailed API documentation.

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.