Fonts and Format for Code
Fonts and formats for inline code, code blocks, non-code items, API reference, classes and methods are detailed below:
Inline code
Inline code is a short snippet of code. Use
backticks (`)
for single-line code/ inline code.The following are examples of inline code:
Attribute names and values
Command Line (CLI) utility names
Class, methods, and function names
Enum names
Command output
Data types
Environment variable names
File names and paths
Folders and directories
HTTP methods and status codes
HTTP status codes
Alias names
Parameter values
Below are a few more instances:
HTTP status codes
In general, put the number and the name of the status code in code font:
HTTP
400 Bad Request
status codeTo refer to a range of codes, use the following form:
HTTP 2xx
or200
status codeIf you prefer to specify an exact range, use the following form:
HTTP status code in the
400-499
range
Command prompt
If your CLI instructions show single-line or multi-line input, start each line of input with the
$
prompt symbol.Don't show the current directory path before the prompt, even if part of the instruction includes changing directories.
Placeholders
In a code output, explain any placeholder that appears in the sample output the first time.
Mention the placeholders in complete capital and italicized code font.
In markdown, wrap inline placeholders in
backticks (`)
andasterisk (*)
.
(*`PLACEHOLDER_NAME`*)
- Don't use X as a placeholder; instead, use an informative placeholder name.
Code blocks
Code blocks are used for code snippets longer than a single line or terminal commands containing sample output when executed.
In markdown, code blocks are represented using a
code fence (```)
.Mention language identifier to enable syntax highlighting in your fenced code block.
```markdown
Language identifier is markdown here.
```
- When using code blocks within lists, use correct indention to avoid breaking the list. For example,
TIP
Payment
jsxconst pay_type = <Payment type=COD />;
Transaction
DANGER
- Payment
const pay_type = <Payment type=COD />;
- Transaction
Don't use tabs to indent text within a code block; use two spaces.
Use three dots (...) on a separate line to indicate that more lines of output are omitted from the sample output.
Blockquote
- Blockquotes are represented by
>
> Added A Name preset according to new naming scheme.
- To add blockquotes within a blockquote, use
>>
Items to put in ordinary (non-code) font
The following list includes items that should not be in code font:
Email addresses
Domain names
URLs
Names of products, services, and organizations
API reference
The API reference code must describe every class, interface, struct, constant, field, enum, and method, with a description for each parameter and the status codes.
Capitalize the API method names such as
GET
,PUT
,PATCH,
etc.Provide meaningful information about the request parameters. Link them to other sections of the documentation for more explanations.
Include any valid and default value at the end of the parameter description. For example, Valid values are
true
andfalse
. The default isfalse
.In detailed documentation, elaborate on how to use the API, including invoking or instantiating it, the key features, and best practices or pitfalls.
Classes and methods
Describe the class briefly and state the intended function with information that can't be deduced from the class name and signature.
Describe the method briefly and what action the method performs. In subsequent sentences, state any pre-requisites that must be met before calling it, explain why and how to use the method, give details about exceptions that may occur, and specify any related APIs.
Method names should be followed by a pair of parentheses
()
.You may also cross-link parameters, classes, and methods.
Deprecations
When something is deprecated, tell the user what to use as a replacement or what to do to make their code work. For example,
WARNING
Deprecated - Access it using this getProd() method instead.
The following section deals with asset (files, images, and videos) management.