How to Document Attributes in a Kotlin Data Class?

What are the best practices for documenting attributes in a Kotlin data class?

data class User(val name: String, val age: Int)

Documenting attributes in Kotlin data classes enhances code readability and maintainability. Proper documentation allows other developers to understand the purpose of each attribute quickly and reduces the time spent on onboarding or debugging.

/**
 * Represents a user in the system.
 *
 * @property name the name of the user
 * @property age the age of the user in years
 */
data class User(val name: String, val age: Int)

Causes

• Lack of clarity for future developers.
• Difficulty in maintaining code over time.
• Increased onboarding time for new team members.

Solutions

• Use KDoc to annotate your attributes with clear explanations.
• Provide examples where necessary to illustrate usage.
• Keep documentation concise but informative, focusing on the purpose of each property.

Mistake: Failing to document all attributes in a data class.

Solution: Always document each property with KDoc.

Mistake: Using overly complex language in documentation.

Solution: Keep your explanations simple and straightforward for clarity.

Mistake: Not updating documentation when changing attribute types or purposes.

Solution: Regularly review and update documentation to reflect changes in the code.