Useless default documentation dilutes both code and actual documentation

IDEs can create default code, including default documentation, such as:

/**
 * Insert class or interface description here.
 */

It would be great if people would actually write documentation. Even a single sentence to describe what the class is modeling would be helpful if it's not obvious from the name. Or object invariants (e.g. boughtCount <= offeredCount).

To find a class without documentation is annoying. But to see such an IDE-generated phrase is a slap in the face!

P.S. I recently created a nerdy privacy-respecting tool called When Will I Run Out Of Money? It's available for free if you want to check it out.

This article is © Adrian Smith.
It was originally published on 7 Aug 2007
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