To generate a user manual using Doxygen, you need to first write your documentation within your source code using Doxygen-compatible comments. These comments should provide a clear and detailed description of each function, class, and variable in your code.
After writing the documentation comments, you need to configure the Doxygen settings in a Doxyfile to specify the location of your source code files and the output folder for the user manual.
Next, you can run the Doxygen command on your terminal or command prompt using the Doxyfile as input. This will parse your source code files and generate the user manual in HTML, LaTeX, or other formats based on your configuration.
Finally, you can view and customize the generated user manual to make it more user-friendly and informative. You can add additional content, sections, and links to improve the usability of the manual for your users.
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How to document command-line options in a Doxygen user manual?
- Define each command-line option in your source code. This can be done using comments before or after the option declaration, such as:
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/** * @brief Description of the option. * * More detailed description of the option. */ int option_name; |
- Use the \addtogroup command to group all command-line options together in the Doxygen user manual. For example:
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/** * @addtogroup cmd_options Command-line Options * @{ */ /** * @brief Description of the option. * * More detailed description of the option. */ int option_name; /** @} */ |
- Use the \param command to document each command-line option individually, providing a brief description and additional details if needed:
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/** * @param option_name Description of the option. * More detailed description of the option, including possible values or ranges. */ |
- Use the \code command to provide examples of how to use each command-line option, including the syntax and any required arguments:
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/** * Usage example: * \code{.sh} * program -option_name argument * \endcode */ |
- Include a section in your Doxygen user manual specifically for the command-line options, providing an overview of each option and how it can be used:
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/** * @page cmd_options Command-line Options * * This page documents the various command-line options available for the program. * * - @ref option_name */ |
- Generate the Doxygen documentation and review the output to ensure that all command-line options are properly documented and easily accessible to users.
What types of documentation can be included in a Doxygen user manual?
A Doxygen user manual can include the following types of documentation:
- General description of the project or software being documented
- Installation instructions
- Overview of the code structure and organization
- Class and function descriptions
- Code examples and usage instructions
- API reference documentation
- Configuration options and settings
- Compilation and build instructions
- Troubleshooting and FAQ section
- License information
- Release notes and version history
- Contact information for support and feedback.
How to create an index for a Doxygen user manual?
To create an index for a Doxygen user manual, you can follow these steps:
- Define the structure of your manual: Before creating an index, you need to have a clear understanding of the content and structure of your user manual. Identify the main sections, chapters, and topics that need to be included in the manual.
- Use Doxygen markup: Doxygen allows you to use special markup tags to create links and cross-references within your documentation. Use these markup tags to create references to different sections, topics, and keywords within your manual.
- Create a separate index page: Create a separate section or page in your user manual specifically for the index. This page will list all the topics covered in the manual along with the page numbers or links to the corresponding sections.
- List keywords and topics alphabetically: Organize the index alphabetically to make it easier for users to find the information they are looking for. Create sub-sections or categories within the index if you have a large number of topics to cover.
- Include page numbers or links: For each entry in the index, include the page numbers or links to the corresponding sections in the user manual. This will help users quickly navigate to the relevant information.
- Update the index regularly: As you make changes or updates to your user manual, remember to also update the index accordingly. Make sure that the index remains accurate and up-to-date to help users easily find the information they need.
By following these steps, you can create an effective index for your Doxygen user manual that will help users navigate and easily access the information they need.
