Python docstring templates

Updated: 2024-03-12
2 min read
[Python Programming Template]

Template

def function_name(param1: Type1, param2: Type2, ...) -> ReturnType:
    """Brief description of the function.

    More detailed explanation of the function if necessary. This can span
    multiple lines as needed.

    Args:
        param1 (Type1): Description of param1.
        param2 (Type2): Description of param2.
        ...

    Returns:
        ReturnType: Description of the return value.

    Raises:
        ExceptionType: Explanation of the conditions under which this exception is raised.

    Example:

        >>> function_name(param1_value, param2_value)
        Expected output
    """
    ...

Example

With Type Hints

def add_numbers(num1: int, num2: int = 5) -> int:
    """Adds two numbers together.

    Args:
        num1 (int): The first number to add.
        num2 (int, optional): The second number to add. Defaults to 5.

    Returns:
        int: The sum of num1 and num2.

    Example:
        >>> add_numbers(3, 2)
        5
    """
    return num1 + num2

Without Type Hints

def add_numbers(num1, num2=5):
    """Adds two numbers together.

    Args:
        num1: The first number to add. Should be of type int.
        num2: The second number to add. Should be of type int. Defaults to 5.

    Returns:
        The sum of num1 and num2. The return value will be of type int.

    Example:
        >>> add_numbers(3, 2)
        5
    """
    return num1 + num2

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