Main Types of Documentation and Their Audiences

User Manuals

User manuals are guides written for end users who interact with the software. These manuals explain how to install, configure, and use the application’s features. They often include troubleshooting tips and answers to common questions.

• Audience: End users, customers, and support teams;
• Example: The official documentation for IntelliJ IDEA provides step-by-step instructions for configuring projects, running code, and using advanced editor features.

API Documentation

API documentation describes how to interact programmatically with the software. It details available classes, methods, parameters, and expected responses. This type is essential for developers who build integrations or extensions.

• Audience: Software developers, integration partners, and technical consultants;
• Example: The Java SE API documentation lists all classes and methods available in the Java Standard Edition, helping developers write compatible code.

Internal Wikis

Internal wikis are collaborative platforms used by team members to share knowledge, onboarding guides, team processes, and troubleshooting steps. These are updated frequently and serve as a living knowledge base.

• Audience: Project teams, new hires, and internal support staff;
• Example: Many open-source projects, such as Apache Maven, maintain internal wikis to coordinate development practices and document build processes.

Design Documents

Design documents capture architectural decisions, system diagrams, and rationale behind major features. They help teams understand why certain approaches were chosen and how different components interact.

• Audience: Architects, senior developers, project managers, and stakeholders;
• Example: A design document for a large-scale banking application might explain the reasoning behind choosing a microservices architecture, including diagrams of service interactions and data flow.