Irrespective of the nature of business, computers have become indispensable for practically any company the world over. Like all sophisticated devices, computers need to come with a manual to help the user understand the functions and how it works. In some cases it may be the programmer who performs the role of writing software documentation but it is mostly a technical writer who does it.
Technical writing is the generic term for this type of literature. Technical writers need to be familiar with software including the logic that is behind it. Though they may not fully appreciate the minor details of the technology, it is their job to make sure that what they write is accurate.
Technical writers are able to translate technical jargon of programmers and designers into simple language that can easily be understood by the average person. They help novices and beginners to understand how an application works so that they are able to navigate menus and interfaces. Programmers usually tend to be more technical in their language which the end user will find hard to follow.
Documentation is not always necessary as there are everyday programs that are user friendly. In the world of gaming, the games themselves help a user know what needs to be done and they use tricks and tips in the more advanced levels to explain the necessary functions. The same strategy cannot be adopted to explain how power stations function.
A technical writer needs to put himself in the place of the end user to understand and explain a software and how to work with it. Writers have to keep formatting and standards of content in mind when explaining how to start and deal with problems. The concerned company will also prescribe a style for the writing tone of the manual to reflect its image.
It is important for the writer to be aware of who the user will be before writing the documentation. If it is a non-technical user, care has to be taken to avoid technical terms. On the other hand being too simple will prove useless to IT professionals who may require it for support needs.
The entire documentation should be concise, laid out and have a logical flow. The length and size depends mostly on how complex the application is. Certain types can be very long whereas some could be just a few pages.
No matter how long the manual and what the format may be, there are certain facts that users need to know. Firstly they have to be told how to get the application started, what its uses are and how to tackle problems that may arise. The use of menu diagrams is advisable as are screenshots to give a clearer understanding in print as well as online.
Writing software documentation can also be done by collaborating the programmer, user and writer. This enables the user to express his understanding or lack thereof and the programmer ensures the technical authenticity. The writing on a software manual should convey all the information necessary in an easy to understand language.
Technical writing is the generic term for this type of literature. Technical writers need to be familiar with software including the logic that is behind it. Though they may not fully appreciate the minor details of the technology, it is their job to make sure that what they write is accurate.
Technical writers are able to translate technical jargon of programmers and designers into simple language that can easily be understood by the average person. They help novices and beginners to understand how an application works so that they are able to navigate menus and interfaces. Programmers usually tend to be more technical in their language which the end user will find hard to follow.
Documentation is not always necessary as there are everyday programs that are user friendly. In the world of gaming, the games themselves help a user know what needs to be done and they use tricks and tips in the more advanced levels to explain the necessary functions. The same strategy cannot be adopted to explain how power stations function.
A technical writer needs to put himself in the place of the end user to understand and explain a software and how to work with it. Writers have to keep formatting and standards of content in mind when explaining how to start and deal with problems. The concerned company will also prescribe a style for the writing tone of the manual to reflect its image.
It is important for the writer to be aware of who the user will be before writing the documentation. If it is a non-technical user, care has to be taken to avoid technical terms. On the other hand being too simple will prove useless to IT professionals who may require it for support needs.
The entire documentation should be concise, laid out and have a logical flow. The length and size depends mostly on how complex the application is. Certain types can be very long whereas some could be just a few pages.
No matter how long the manual and what the format may be, there are certain facts that users need to know. Firstly they have to be told how to get the application started, what its uses are and how to tackle problems that may arise. The use of menu diagrams is advisable as are screenshots to give a clearer understanding in print as well as online.
Writing software documentation can also be done by collaborating the programmer, user and writer. This enables the user to express his understanding or lack thereof and the programmer ensures the technical authenticity. The writing on a software manual should convey all the information necessary in an easy to understand language.
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