What are the best practices for writing docstrings in Python?

What are the best practices for writing docstrings in Python?

The best practices for writing docstrings include being clear, concise, and informative. Start with a summary of the function's purpose, followed by details about parameters, return values, and exceptions.

Can you give me an example of a good docstring?

Sure! Here's an example:

def add(a, b):
    """
    Add two numbers together.

    Parameters:
    a (int or float): The first number.
    b (int or float): The second number.

    Returns:
    int or float: The sum of a and b.
    """
    return a + b

What should I avoid when writing docstrings?

Avoid being overly verbose, using jargon, or including implementation details. Focus on what the function does, not how it does it.

Are there any tools to help with docstring formatting?

Yes, tools like Sphinx and pydocstyle can help with formatting and checking your docstrings against PEP 257 standards.