The Art of Technical Writing

Code is a form of communication. But so are the documents, comments, and messages that surround it.

Writing as Thinking

Writing forces clarity. When I can’t write something clearly, it usually means I don’t understand it well enough.

The process of writing a design document often reveals flaws in the design itself. Writing is debugging for ideas.

Principles I Follow

1. Start with the problem

Before explaining the solution, make sure the reader understands why the problem matters.

2. Use concrete examples

Abstract concepts become clear when grounded in specific cases.

3. Respect the reader’s time

Every sentence should earn its place. If it doesn’t add value, cut it.

The Impact

Clear documentation reduces questions. Good commit messages tell a story. Thoughtful comments save hours of archaeology.

Writing isn’t a distraction from engineering—it’s a multiplier for it.