Reza

Static site generator (Documentation Builder)

12 min read

For building documentation in Java and Kotlin, here are some of the top tools and libraries you can use:

Java Documentation Builders:

  1. Javadoc

    • Description: The official tool for generating API documentation in HTML format from Java source code.
    • Features: It parses Java source files with special doc comments (Javadoc comments) and generates formatted documentation.
    • Usage: Built into the JDK. It’s very standard for Java projects.
    • Website: Javadoc

  2. Dokka (for Kotlin & Java)

    • Description: A documentation generator for Kotlin, which also supports Java. It produces high-quality documentation, including HTML, Markdown, and other formats.
    • Features: It supports both Java and Kotlin, with features like generating documentation from source code comments and support for Kotlin-specific features like extensions.
    • Usage: Typically used in Kotlin projects but supports Java code well.
    • Website: Dokka

  3. Swagger/OpenAPI

    • Description: Primarily used for REST APIs, Swagger (OpenAPI) can generate detailed documentation for Java-based APIs.
    • Features: It creates interactive API documentation and supports annotations in the code to define models, operations, and endpoints.
    • Usage: Commonly used with Spring Boot or other Java frameworks for API documentation.
    • Website: Swagger

  4. Asciidoctor

    • Description: A flexible and powerful tool that can convert AsciiDoc files into various formats like HTML, PDF, etc. It’s useful for generating more detailed project documentation.
    • Features: Provides rich formatting and can be integrated with Maven or Gradle for documentation generation.
    • Website: Asciidoctor

Kotlin Documentation Builders:

  1. Dokka

    • Description: As mentioned earlier, Dokka is the go-to tool for Kotlin documentation. It provides rich, user-friendly documentation for Kotlin projects.
    • Features: It integrates well with Gradle, Maven, and other build systems. Supports multiple output formats like HTML, Markdown, and Javadoc-style output.
    • Usage: Commonly used in Kotlin-based projects for documentation generation.
    • Website: Dokka

  2. KDoc

    • Description: Kotlin’s own documentation system, similar to Java’s Javadoc, using KDoc comments. It’s designed to be part of the Kotlin ecosystem.
    • Features: Works seamlessly with Dokka, as KDoc comments are parsed by Dokka for generating documentation.
    • Usage: Used as part of Kotlin code to generate documentation in conjunction with Dokka.

  3. Kotlin API Documentation (Custom)

    • Description: You can generate your own documentation pipeline with tools like Jekyll or Hugo combined with Markdown for static sites, often used for more custom, hand-crafted documentation needs.
    • Features: Provides flexibility for creating documentation that may include more than just API details, such as guides, tutorials, and examples.
    • Website: Jekyll, Hugo

  4. MkDocs

    • Description: A static site generator that’s often used for project documentation. With its Markdown-based approach, it’s flexible and easy to use.
    • Features: It’s highly customizable, and with the appropriate plugins, you can generate documentation that includes Kotlin and Java code examples.
    • Website: MkDocs

Summary:

  • For standard Java documentation, Javadoc is the most common, but if you’re working with Kotlin, Dokka is the preferred tool, as it supports both Kotlin and Java.
  • Swagger or OpenAPI is great for documenting Java APIs.
  • For more flexible, project-wide documentation (beyond just API docs), Asciidoctor, MkDocs, and Jekyll are excellent choices, depending on your format preferences.

Would you like more details on setting up any of these tools for your project?

4o mini

You said:

for js ts and web languages , best docs builder

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

For JavaScript (JS), TypeScript (TS), and web languages (HTML, CSS, etc.), here are some of the best documentation generators:

1. JSDoc (JavaScript/TypeScript)

  • Description: JSDoc is one of the most popular documentation generators for JavaScript and TypeScript projects. It generates API documentation based on special comments in your code.
  • Features: Supports JS and TS, generates HTML documentation, and integrates with various tools like TypeScript for enhanced type support.
  • Usage: Add JSDoc comments to your code, then run it through the JSDoc tool to generate documentation.
  • Website: JSDoc

2. TypeDoc (TypeScript)

  • Description: TypeDoc is a documentation generator specifically designed for TypeScript projects. It works similarly to JSDoc but provides better support for TypeScript types.
  • Features: Outputs clean, easy-to-read HTML, Markdown, or JSON. Works with TypeScript syntax and produces high-quality documentation with support for complex types.
  • Usage: It integrates well with TypeScript projects to produce documentation from comments in your code.
  • Website: TypeDoc

3. Docusaurus (JS/TS/General Web)

  • Description: Docusaurus is a documentation generator tool that helps you create beautiful, static documentation websites. While it’s not focused only on JS/TS code, it’s perfect for creating extensive, user-friendly documentation for projects and APIs.
  • Features: Provides a React-based framework with Markdown-based content. Supports versioning, localization, and a lot of customization.
  • Usage: Great for projects where you want more than just API docs and want to create a full website for your documentation.
  • Website: Docusaurus

4. Docz (JS/TS/React)

  • Description: Docz is a tool that allows you to create and manage documentation websites with ease. It’s ideal for documenting React components, but it can work with any JS/TS project.
  • Features: Live documentation for React components, Markdown integration, customizable themes, and hot-reloading.
  • Usage: Perfect for React projects, but can be extended for other web-based documentation.
  • Website: Docz

5. MkDocs (Web Docs)

  • Description: MkDocs is a static site generator that’s great for project documentation, particularly for web technologies like HTML, CSS, JS, and frameworks.
  • Features: It’s highly customizable, supports Markdown content, and allows you to create beautiful, user-friendly documentation. You can also integrate it with other tools like Python for additional functionality.
  • Usage: Ideal for developers who want to combine their API docs with project-wide documentation and guides.
  • Website: MkDocs

6. Swagger/OpenAPI (JS/TS/REST APIs)

  • Description: Swagger (or OpenAPI) is perfect for documenting RESTful APIs. It supports JS/TS-based APIs and creates interactive, human-readable documentation.
  • Features: Interactive UI for testing API endpoints, integrates well with Express.js or other JS/TS web frameworks.
  • Usage: Often used with JavaScript backend frameworks (e.g., Node.js with Express) to document and visualize APIs.
  • Website: Swagger

7. GitBook (JS/TS/General Web)

  • Description: GitBook is a modern documentation platform designed for collaboration. It’s good for both API and general project documentation.
  • Features: Easy-to-use interface, version control, integrations with GitHub, Markdown support, and collaboration features.
  • Usage: Great for creating rich documentation that includes guides, API references, and tutorials.
  • Website: GitBook

8. Sphinx with Breathe (for Python-based docs with JS/TS)

  • Description: Sphinx is a documentation generator that can integrate with Breathe to handle JavaScript or TypeScript documentation.
  • Features: Excellent for projects with mixed languages, especially those that combine Python with JS/TS.
  • Usage: Often used in larger projects where Python documentation needs to be integrated with web technologies.
  • Website: Sphinx and Breathe

Summary:

  • For JavaScript and TypeScript, JSDoc and TypeDoc are the best tools for generating API documentation from comments in your code.
  • If you’re working with a more comprehensive project and want a full-fledged documentation site, Docusaurus and MkDocs are excellent tools.
  • For React-based projects, Docz is a great option.
  • For REST API documentation, Swagger/OpenAPI is the standard.
  • For collaborative, general-purpose documentation, GitBook is a solid choice.

Would you like more details on setting up any of these tools for your project?

Static site generator top

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

There are several top static site generators (SSGs) to consider depending on your needs. Here are some of the most popular ones:

  1. Jekyll:

    • Language: Ruby
    • Use case: Great for blogs and simple websites.
    • Features: Built-in support for Markdown, templating with Liquid, and a large plugin ecosystem. Works well with GitHub Pages.

  2. Hugo:

    • Language: Go
    • Use case: Ideal for high-performance, content-heavy websites.
    • Features: Fast build times, flexible theming, and excellent support for multilingual content.

  3. Gatsby:

    • Language: JavaScript (React)
    • Use case: Best for dynamic sites with React, like blogs or e-commerce sites.
    • Features: Uses GraphQL for querying data, integrates with numerous data sources (CMS, APIs), and optimized for performance.

  4. Next.js (Static Export Mode):

    • Language: JavaScript (React)
    • Use case: Ideal for both static sites and dynamic web applications.
    • Features: Supports server-side rendering, static site generation, and hybrid approaches. It also has great SEO optimization.

  5. Eleventy (11ty):

    • Language: JavaScript
    • Use case: Highly customizable, perfect for simple to complex static websites.
    • Features: Fast builds, no dependencies (optional), and flexible templating (supports multiple templating engines).

  6. Hexo:

    • Language: JavaScript
    • Use case: Best for blog-style websites.
    • Features: Easy to set up, has many plugins, and a simple, fast build process.

  7. Nuxt.js (Static Mode):

    • Language: JavaScript (Vue.js)
    • Use case: Great for static sites with Vue.js.
    • Features: Supports static site generation, server-side rendering, and dynamic routing.

  8. Pelican:

    • Language: Python
    • Use case: Best for personal blogs and documentation websites.
    • Features: Written in Python, supports Markdown, reStructuredText, and Jinja2 templates.

The best choice depends on your project’s needs, the languages you’re familiar with, and any specific features you’re looking for (like build speed, plugins, or templating flexibility). Would you like help picking one for a specific type of site?

for markdown top list

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

If you’re looking for static site generators specifically suited for working with Markdown, here are some top choices:

  1. Jekyll:

    • Language: Ruby
    • Use case: Ideal for blogs and documentation sites.
    • Markdown support: Native support for Markdown with built-in processing and integration with Liquid templates.
    • Features: Extensive plugin ecosystem and easy integration with GitHub Pages.

  2. Hugo:

    • Language: Go
    • Use case: Great for fast, content-heavy websites.
    • Markdown support: Full support for Markdown, including custom shortcodes and content types.
    • Features: Super fast build times, flexible theming, and built-in content management.

  3. Eleventy (11ty):

    • Language: JavaScript
    • Use case: Highly customizable and ideal for simple to complex static websites.
    • Markdown support: Supports Markdown out-of-the-box, with the ability to customize and extend Markdown processing.
    • Features: Supports multiple templating engines, making it highly flexible. Great for users who prefer minimal configuration.

  4. Hexo:

    • Language: JavaScript
    • Use case: Best for blogs and personal sites.
    • Markdown support: Built-in support for Markdown with extensions like KaTeX for math rendering and others.
    • Features: Fast and easy to use, with lots of themes and plugins for extending functionality.

  5. Pelican:

    • Language: Python
    • Use case: Suitable for blogs, personal sites, and documentation.
    • Markdown support: Excellent Markdown support and the ability to use other formats like reStructuredText.
    • Features: Built on Python, and integrates easily with blogging platforms and APIs.

  6. MkDocs:

    • Language: Python
    • Use case: Specifically focused on creating project documentation.
    • Markdown support: Native support for Markdown, with features like automatic table of contents generation.
    • Features: Simple setup, great themes, and a strong community for documentation sites.

  7. Gatsby (with plugins):

    • Language: JavaScript (React)
    • Use case: For React-based sites or blogs.
    • Markdown support: Uses plugins like gatsby-transformer-remark to parse and use Markdown files in your React-based site.
    • Features: Highly customizable, with integration for data sources and enhanced performance.

  8. Next.js (Static Export Mode):

    • Language: JavaScript (React)
    • Use case: For static sites with React.
    • Markdown support: You can integrate Markdown using packages like next-mdx-remote or remark.
    • Features: Server-side rendering and static generation, plus excellent React ecosystem support.

Each of these generators has great support for Markdown, but the best one depends on whether you prefer a simple setup (like Hexo or MkDocs) or a more customizable, feature-rich setup (like Jekyll or Hugo). Would you like help picking one for your specific project?

4o mini

You said:

for java and kotlin ?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

If you’re looking for static site generators that work well with Java or Kotlin, here are a few options:

Java-based Static Site Generators

  1. Jekyll (via JRuby):

    • Language: Ruby (but can be run with JRuby on the JVM)
    • Use case: Good for personal blogs and documentation sites.
    • Markdown support: Native support for Markdown with built-in processing.
    • Features: Extensive plugin ecosystem, themes, and integration with GitHub Pages.
    • Consideration: While primarily a Ruby tool, it can run on the JVM using JRuby.

  2. Hugo (via JVM-based tools):

    • Language: Go (though you can integrate Hugo with Java or Kotlin via HTTP servers or APIs).
    • Use case: High-performance static site generation.
    • Markdown support: Full support with custom shortcodes and content types.
    • Features: Extremely fast build times and flexible theming, but typically requires a separate setup to use it from Java/Kotlin.

  3. Asciidoctor:

    • Language: Java
    • Use case: Excellent for creating documentation and static sites.
    • Markdown support: While Asciidoctor itself is primarily for AsciiDoc, it supports a lot of Markdown processing and can convert Markdown into AsciiDoc format.
    • Features: Provides integration with various Java-based tools and allows for output in multiple formats, including HTML, PDF, and ePub.

  4. WinterCMS (Java-based CMS):

    • Language: Java
    • Use case: Content management for websites, including static site generation.
    • Markdown support: Supports Markdown for content formatting.
    • Features: Open-source Java-based CMS with a focus on flexibility and extendibility.

Kotlin-based Static Site Generators

  1. Ktor (Custom Static Site Generator):

    • Language: Kotlin
    • Use case: While Ktor is primarily a framework for building web applications, you can use it to create custom static site generators.
    • Markdown support: You can implement Markdown rendering via libraries like kotlin-markdown or use third-party plugins to parse Markdown files.
    • Features: Full control over your static site generation, allowing you to build a solution tailored to your needs.

  2. Hexo (via Kotlin integration):

    • Language: JavaScript (but you can use Kotlin for backend integration or plugin development).
    • Use case: Best for blogs, documentation, and personal websites.
    • Markdown support: Built-in Markdown support.
    • Features: Fast, extensible, and has a large community.

  3. Kordamp:

    • Language: Kotlin
    • Use case: A Kotlin-based tool designed for creating documentation sites and websites.
    • Markdown support: Full Markdown support for content creation.
    • Features: It focuses on making it easy to generate websites for Kotlin and JVM-based projects, offering simple integrations.

General Tools for Java/Kotlin Projects

  • Gradle Static Site Generation Plugins: You can also leverage tools like Gradle (which is often used with Kotlin for JVM-based projects) to build static websites. There are plugins for generating static sites using Gradle’s kotlin-dsl or kordamp plugin, which work well in Kotlin-based projects.
    • Use case: Build automation and static site generation combined.
    • Markdown support: Can be customized using different Markdown processing tools.

Which One to Choose?

  • If you’re looking for something with out-of-the-box support for static site generation, Asciidoctor (Java) or Hexo (with Kotlin integrations) would be a good starting point.
  • If you prefer a customizable solution with full control over the site generation process, Ktor or Gradle with Kotlin-based plugins would be ideal.

Let me know if you’d like more details on any of these options!

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