Software Alternatives & Startups

Docco VS phpDocumentor 2

Compare Docco VS phpDocumentor 2 and see what are their differences

Docco

Docco is a quick-and-dirty, hundred-line-long, literate-programming-style documentation generator.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
phpDocumentor 2

PHP documentation generator based on docblock parsing.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, phpDocumentor 2 should be more popular than Docco. It has been mentioned 2 times since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 2
Documentation popularity
54% vs 46%
alternatives listed
13 vs 14

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Docco
phpDocumentor 2
Website ashkenas.com phpdoc.org
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Docco 5 features
phpDocumentor 2 5 features
  • Simplicity
    Docco is easy to set up and use, requiring minimal configuration to start generating documentation.
  • Literate programming
    Combines prose and code by running through a simple comment setup, allowing developers to read through code explanations side by side with the actual code.
  • Rapid Documentation
    Quickly generates documentation directly from comments in the codebase, making it easier to maintain up-to-date documentation.
  • Attractive Output
    Produces clean and aesthetically pleasing HTML output that is easy to read and navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being open source means it can be used and modified freely, fostering community involvement and custom enhancements.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Customization
    Docco offers limited options for customizing the output, making it difficult to adapt it for more complex documentation needs.
  • Language Support
    Although initially designed for JavaScript, Docco's support for other languages relies on community contributions and may not be as robust.
  • Dependency Management
    Users need to ensure that dependencies run smoothly, which might be an additional overhead if conflicts arise.
  • Scalability
    Docco was designed for small- to medium-sized projects, and it may be less efficient for larger codebases or projects requiring more structured documentation.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    phpDocumentor 2 generates detailed and well-structured documentation for PHP codebases, making it easier for developers to understand and maintain the code.
  • Customization
    The tool offers options to customize the appearance and content of the generated documentation, allowing users to tailor it to their specific needs.
  • Automatic Documentation Generation
    phpDocumentor 2 automatically generates documentation from comments in the source code, saving time and effort for developers.
  • Support for PHP Features
    It supports modern PHP features and syntax, ensuring that the documentation remains relevant as the language evolves.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, phpDocumentor 2 allows developers to contribute to its development and adapt it to their requirements.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a learning curve as they get accustomed to the tool’s features and configuration options.
  • Performance Issues
    For very large codebases, phpDocumentor 2 might experience performance slowdowns, impacting the speed of documentation generation.
  • Dependency Management
    Managing dependencies can be tricky, especially with different versions, which might cause compatibility issues.
  • Limited Output Formats
    The tool primarily focuses on HTML documentation, which might not be ideal for teams needing different output formats.
  • Documentation Upkeep
    Developers need to consistently maintain their code comments to ensure the generated documentation is accurate and helpful.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Docco
phpDocumentor 2
54% 54%
46% 46%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Docco and phpDocumentor 2. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Docco 1 mention
phpDocumentor 2 2 mentions
  • Lisp.py
    Side note - it's been a while since I've seen a Docco-style annotated-source-style documentation! http://ashkenas.com/docco/ Backbone.js was the first time I saw it, and I loved it! https://backbonejs.org/docs/backbone.html It... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • I've noticed this syntax around - is there any "official" place where it comes from?
    I think you are talking about the comment which is a format called phpdoc. Source: about 4 years ago
  • End-User Documentation
    I'm not sure if I want to include those guides in the DocBlocks for the functions, or as part of separate RST files that phpDoc.org supports. Source: almost 5 years ago

Alternatives to Docco and phpDocumentor 2

When comparing Docco and phpDocumentor 2, you can also consider the following products.