Stop Writing Excel Specs: A Markdown Approach
As developers, we've all been there - staring at a 50-page Word file or a massive Excel spreadsheet trying to decipher the design document provided by the architecture team. It's not just a matter of reading through it; understanding and implementing the requirements in code can be a daunting task.
In this article, we'll explore how treating Design Documents (DDDs) as source code using Markdown and generative AI can revolutionize the way we work.
The Problem with Traditional DDDs
Traditional DDDs are often created in binary silos like Excel or Word. These formats have their own limitations:
- Lack of structure: Design documents lack a standardized format, making it difficult for developers to extract relevant information.
- Drifting away from code: As the design document evolves, it often drifts away from the actual implementation in code.
- Version control issues: Updates and revisions can become cumbersome to manage.
Introducing Markdown
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that offers a structured way of writing documents. Its simplicity and flexibility make it an ideal choice for treating DDDs as source code.
Key Benefits
- Easy to read and write: Markdown's plain text format makes it simple to comprehend and update.
- Version control friendly: Changes can be tracked using version control systems like Git.
- Collaboration made easy: Multiple developers can contribute to the document in real-time.
Generative AI: The Next Step
Generative AI takes the structured Markdown documents to the next level by enabling the creation of code snippets and documentation based on design decisions. This approach minimizes the gap between the design document and the actual implementation in code.
Real-World Applications
- Automated code generation: Generate boilerplate code for Java classes, fields, or validation rules.
- Documentation creation: Produce high-quality documentation from Markdown documents, making it easier to understand complex systems.
Implementation Details
To implement this approach, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose a Markdown Editor
Select a Markdown editor that supports syntax highlighting and live preview. Some popular options include:
- Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
- Sublime Text
- Atom
Step 2: Structure Your Document
Use the following structure to organize your design document:
# Design Document
## Overview
### Introduction
### Goals and Non-Functional Requirements
## Architecture
### System Components
#### Component 1
#### Component 2
## Implementation Details
### Java Classes
#### Class 1
#### Class 2
### Validation Rules
#### Rule 1
#### Rule 2
Step 3: Leverage Generative AI
Use a generative AI tool to create code snippets and documentation from your Markdown document. Some popular options include:
- Code generation libraries (e.g.,
javadoc) - AI-powered code completion tools (e.g., Tabnine)
Best Practices
To get the most out of this approach, follow these best practices:
- Keep it concise: Focus on clear and concise writing to avoid overwhelming developers.
- Use version control: Track changes and updates using version control systems like Git.
- Collaborate effectively: Use Markdown's collaborative features to involve multiple developers in the design process.
Conclusion
By treating Design Documents as source code using Markdown and generative AI, you can revolutionize your development workflow. The benefits of structured documentation, automated code generation, and reduced drift between design and implementation are undeniable.
Take the first step towards a more efficient and effective design process by adopting this approach in your next project.
By Malik Abualzait
Top comments (0)