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doc: update style guide
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PR-URL: #53223
Reviewed-By: James M Snell <[email protected]>
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# Documentation style guide

This style guide helps us create organized and easy-to-read documentation. It
provides guidelines for organization, spelling, formatting, and more.

These are guidelines rather than strict rules. Content is more important than
formatting. You do not need to learn the entire style guide before contributing
to documentation. Someone can always edit your material later to conform with
this guide.

* Documentation is in markdown files with names formatted as
`lowercase-with-dashes.md`.
* Use an underscore in the filename only if the underscore is part of the
topic name (e.g., `child_process`).
* Some files, such as top-level markdown files, are exceptions.
* Documents should be word-wrapped at 80 characters.
* `.editorconfig` describes the preferred formatting.
* A [plugin][] is available for some editors to apply these rules.
* Check changes to documentation with `make test-doc -j` or `vcbuild test-doc`.
* [Use US spelling][].
* [Use serial commas][].
# Node.js documentation style guide

This guide provides clear and concise instructions to help you create well-organized and readable documentation for
the Node.js community. It covers organization, spelling, formatting, and more to ensure consistency and
professionalism across all documents.

## Table of contents

1. [General Guidelines](#general-guidelines)
2. [Writing Style](#writing-style)
3. [Punctuation](#punctuation)
4. [Document Structure](#document-structure)
5. [API Documentation](#api-documentation)
6. [Code Blocks](#code-blocks)
7. [Formatting](#formatting)
8. [Product and Project Naming](#product-and-project-naming)

***

## General guidelines

### File naming

* **Markdown Files:** Use `lowercase-with-dashes.md`.
* Use underscores only if they are part of the topic name (e.g., `child_process`).
* Some files, like top-level Markdown files, may be exceptions.

### Text wrapping

* Wrap documents at 120 characters per line to enhance readability and version control.

### Editor configuration

* Follow the formatting rules specified in `.editorconfig`.
* A [plugin][] is available for some editors to enforce these rules.

### Testing documentation

* Validate documentation changes using `make test-doc -j` or `vcbuild test-doc`.

***

## Writing style

### Spelling and grammar

* **Spelling:** Use [US spelling][].
* **Grammar:** Use clear, concise language. Avoid unnecessary jargon.

### Commas

* **Serial Commas:** Use [serial commas][] for clarity.
* Example: _apples, oranges<b>,</b> and bananas_

### Pronouns

* Avoid first-person pronouns (_I_, _we_).
* Exception: _we recommend foo_ is preferable to _foo is recommended_.
* Use gender-neutral pronouns and gender-neutral plural nouns.
* Exception: Use _we recommend foo_ instead of _foo is recommended_.

### Gender-neutral language

* Use gender-neutral pronouns and plural nouns.
* OK: _they_, _their_, _them_, _folks_, _people_, _developers_
* NOT OK: _his_, _hers_, _him_, _her_, _guys_, _dudes_
* When combining wrapping elements (parentheses and quotes), place terminal
punctuation:
* Inside the wrapping element if the wrapping element contains a complete
clause.
* Outside of the wrapping element if the wrapping element contains only a
fragment of a clause.
* Documents must start with a level-one heading.
* Prefer affixing links (`[a link][]`) to inlining links
(`[a link](http://example.com)`).
* When documenting APIs, update the YAML comment associated with the API as
appropriate. This is especially true when introducing or deprecating an API.
* When documenting APIs, every function should have a usage example or
link to an example that uses the function.
* For code blocks:
* Use [language][]-aware fences. (<code>\`\`\`js</code>)

* For the [info string][], use one of the following.

| Meaning | Info string |
| ------------- | ------------ |
| Bash | `bash` |
| C | `c` |
| C++ | `cpp` |
| CoffeeScript | `coffee` |
| Diff | `diff` |
| HTTP | `http` |
| JavaScript | `js` |
| JSON | `json` |
| Markdown | `markdown` |
| Plaintext | `text` |
| Powershell | `powershell` |
| R | `r` |
| Shell Session | `console` |

If one of your language-aware fences needs an info string that is not
already on this list, you may use `text` until the grammar gets added to
[`remark-preset-lint-node`][].

* Code need not be complete. Treat code blocks as an illustration or aid to
your point, not as complete running programs. If a complete running program
is necessary, include it as an asset in `assets/code-examples` and link to
it.
* When using underscores, asterisks, and backticks, please use
backslash-escaping: `\_`, `\*`, and ``\` ``.
* Constructors should use PascalCase.
* Instances should use camelCase.
* Denote methods with parentheses: `socket.end()` instead of `socket.end`.
* Function arguments or object properties should use the following format:
* ``* `name` {type|type2} Optional description. **Default:** `value`.``
<!--lint disable maximum-line-length remark-lint-->
* For example: <code>\* `byteOffset` {integer} Index of first byte to expose. **Default:** `0`.</code>
<!--lint enable maximum-line-length remark-lint-->
* The `type` should refer to a Node.js type or a [JavaScript type][].
* Function returns should use the following format:
* <code>\* Returns: {type|type2} Optional description.</code>
* E.g. <code>\* Returns: {AsyncHook} A reference to `asyncHook`.</code>
* Use official styling for capitalization in products and projects.

### Terminology

* Use precise technical terms and avoid colloquialisms.
* Define any specialized terms or acronyms at first use.

***

## Punctuation

### Terminal punctuation

* Place inside parentheses or quotes if the content is a complete clause.
* Place outside if the content is a fragment of a clause.

### Quotation marks

* Use double quotation marks for direct quotes.
* Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

### Colons and semicolons

* Use colons to introduce lists or explanations.
* Use semicolons to link closely related independent clauses.

***

## Document structure

### Headings

* Start documents with a level-one heading (`#`).
* Use subsequent headings (`##`, `###`, etc.) to organize content hierarchically.

### Links

* Prefer reference-style links (`[a link][]`) over inline links (`[a link](http://example.com)`).

### Lists

* Use bullet points for unordered lists and numbers for ordered lists.
* Keep list items parallel in structure.

### Tables

* Use tables to present structured information clearly. Ensure they are readable in plain text.

***

## API documentation

### YAML comments

* Update the YAML comments associated with the API, especially when introducing or deprecating an API.

### Usage examples

* Provide a usage example or a link to an example for every function.

### Parameter descriptions

* Clearly describe parameters and return values, including types and defaults.
* Example:
```markdown
* `byteOffset` {integer} Index of first byte to expose. **Default:** `0`.
```

***

## Code blocks

### Language-aware fences

* Use language-aware fences (e.g., ` ```js `) for code blocks.

* **Info String:** Use the appropriate info string from the following list:

| Language | Info String |
| ---------------- | ------------ |
| Bash | `bash` |
| C | `c` |
| CommonJS | `cjs` |
| CoffeeScript | `coffee` |
| Terminal Session | `console` |
| C++ | `cpp` |
| Diff | `diff` |
| HTTP | `http` |
| JavaScript | `js` |
| JSON | `json` |
| Markdown | `markdown` |
| EcmaScript | `mjs` |
| Powershell | `powershell` |
| R | `r` |
| Plaintext | `text` |
| TypeScript | `typescript` |

* Use `text` for languages not listed until their grammar is added to [`remark-preset-lint-node`][].

### Code comments

* Use comments to explain complex logic within code examples.
* Follow the standard commenting style of the respective language.

***

## Formatting

### Escaping characters

* Use backslash-escaping for underscores, asterisks, and backticks: `\_`, `\*`, `` \` ``.

### Naming conventions

* **Constructors:** Use PascalCase.
* **Instances:** Use camelCase.
* **Methods:** Indicate methods with parentheses: `socket.end()` instead of `socket.end`.

### Function arguments and returns

* **Arguments:**
```markdown
* `name` {type|type2} Optional description. **Default:** `value`.
```
Example:
```markdown
* `byteOffset` {integer} Index of first byte to expose. **Default:** `0`.
```
* **Returns:**
```markdown
* Returns: {type|type2} Optional description.
```
Example:
```markdown
* Returns: {AsyncHook} A reference to `asyncHook`.
```

***

## Product and project naming

<!-- lint disable prohibited-strings remark-lint-->

### Official styling

* Use official capitalization for products and projects.
* OK: JavaScript, Google's V8
<!--lint disable prohibited-strings remark-lint-->
* NOT OK: Javascript, Google's v8
* Use _Node.js_ and not _Node_, _NodeJS_, or similar variants.
<!-- lint enable prohibited-strings remark-lint-->
* When referring to the executable, _`node`_ is acceptable.
* [Be direct][].

<!-- lint disable prohibited-strings remark-lint-->
### Node.js references

* Use _Node.js_ instead of _Node_, _NodeJS_, or similar variants.
* For the executable, _`node`_ is acceptable.

* When referring to a version of Node.js in prose, use _Node.js_ and the version
number. Do not prefix the version number with _v_ in prose. This is to avoid
confusion about whether _v8_ refers to Node.js 8.x or the V8 JavaScript
engine.
<!-- lint enable prohibited-strings remark-lint-->
### Version references

* Use _Node.js_ and the version number in prose. Do not prefix the version number with _v_.
* OK: _Node.js 14.x_, _Node.js 14.3.1_
* NOT OK: _Node.js v14_
* [Use sentence-style capitalization for headings][].

See also API documentation structure overview in [doctools README][].
<!-- lint enable prohibited-strings remark-lint-->

For topics not addressed here, please consult the [Microsoft Writing Style Guide][].

For topics not covered here, refer to the [Microsoft Writing Style Guide][].
***

[Be direct]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/word-choice/use-simple-words-concise-sentences
[Javascript type]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Grammar_and_types#Data_structures_and_types
[Microsoft Writing Style Guide]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/welcome/
[Use US spelling]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/word-choice/use-us-spelling-avoid-non-english-words
[Use sentence-style capitalization for headings]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/scannable-content/headings#formatting-headings
[Use serial commas]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/punctuation/commas
[Microsoft Writing Style Guide]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/welcome/
[US spelling]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/word-choice/use-us-spelling-avoid-non-english-words
[`remark-preset-lint-node`]: https://github.com/nodejs/remark-preset-lint-node
[doctools README]: ../tools/doc/README.md
[info string]: https://github.github.com/gfm/#info-string
[language]: https://github.com/highlightjs/highlight.js/blob/HEAD/SUPPORTED_LANGUAGES.md
[plugin]: https://editorconfig.org/#download
[serial commas]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/punctuation/commas

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