💡 Tip of the Day
Always fact check generated content before publishing.
Comments and lightweight docs are not decoration - they are navigation aids for future readers, including you. A small function might make sense today, then look cryptic in six months. A short header, simple parameter notes, and one or two inline cues can reduce debugging time and help teammates ship changes without fear. This tool helps you generate a docstring or JSDoc header and optional inline comments from a function signature, so you can capture intent before context fades.
Quick start - paste code, pick language, choose style
Paste a function or a small module. Choose the language and a style - Docstring for Python, JSDoc for JavaScript and friends, Inline comments for a quick pass that marks control flow and returns. Click Generate. The tool reads the signature, extracts the function name and parameters, and stubs a header you can fill out in seconds. For inline mode, it inserts short cues above branches, loops, and returns. These hints do not replace thoughtful comments - they give you a scaffold to finish while the logic is still fresh.
What to write in a good header comment
A header should say what the function does, not how. Include units for inputs and outputs. Name constraints and side effects - network calls, file writes, mutations. If the function has tricky behavior around edge cases, mark them here. Keep it short. A docstring that runs longer than the code is a smell. For conventions, see PEP 257 docstring conventions and JSDoc’s getting started - both are short and practical.
Inline comments - when they help and when they harm
Inline comments should explain why, not paraphrase what the code already says. “Sort by price ascending to show cheapest first” is useful. “Sort ascending” is not. Use comments to justify a trade-off, note a performance choice, or warn about a bug in a dependency. Delete stale comments when code changes. A wrong comment is worse than none. The inline mode here adds tiny cues for structure - use them as anchors to add the real why in your words.
Names, structure, and comments - a friendly trio
Readable code relies on names first, structure second, comments third. If a comment explains a name, rename the symbol. If a comment explains structure, consider extracting a helper. Use comments to clarify intent that names and structure cannot carry alone - business rules, contracts with other systems, or non-obvious constraints. Comments are not a dumping ground for history - your VCS holds that. Keep the file present-focused so readers can make safe edits.
Comparison - no docs vs lightweight docs
| Aspect | No docs | Lightweight docs |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding time | Long | Short |
| Bug risk | Higher | Lower - intent visible |
| Code reviews | Slow | Faster - questions answered |
| Maintenance | Heavy | Smoother |
Bullet notes - docs that stay useful
- Document behavior at the function boundary - inputs, outputs, side effects.
- Explain why a path exists if it is not obvious from domain logic.
- Delete comments that no longer match code to avoid misleads.
- Prefer short, specific sentences over long prose blocks.
Real example - saving a late-night rollback
A team shipped a small change to discount logic and broke checkout for a corner case. The function had no header and reviewers missed a rule in a third-party API. We added a three-line docstring that named the external dependency, the unit of a percentage, and the special case. The next change went through cleanly because the header forced a glance at the dependency docs. The code barely changed. The documentation made the risk visible.
Two quick questions before you commit
- Would a teammate know what this function returns and in what units without reading the body?
- Have you explained the unusual parts - a workaround, a bug in a library, or a constraint from another system?
Documentation is not paperwork - it is a small act of care for future readers. A clear header and a few well-placed comments reduce bugs, speed reviews, and make refactors less scary. Use this generator to start, then finish with specifics from your domain. For teams formalizing standards, Google’s comment and docstring guidelines are sensible and widely adopted.