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Jsdoc Return Object Structure

When working on a software project, it's essential to ensure that your code is well-documented. One popular tool for documenting JavaScript code is JSDoc. In this article, we'll focus on how to document the structure of objects returned by functions using JSDoc.

When it comes to writing clear and easily understandable code, documenting the return structure of functions is crucial. Not only does it help fellow developers understand the purpose and usage of your functions, but it also improves the overall maintainability of the codebase.

To document the return object structure in JSDoc, you can use the `@returns` tag followed by a description of the object's properties. Let's look at an example to understand this better:

Javascript

/**
 * A function that returns an example object
 * @returns {Object} An object with properties
 * @property {string} name - The name of the object
 * @property {number} age - The age of the object
 */
function getExampleObject() {
  return {
    name: 'John Doe',
    age: 30
  };
}

In the example above, we have a function `getExampleObject()` that returns an object with `name` and `age` properties. The `@returns` tag is used to specify the return type, which in this case is an `Object`. Following that, we use the `@property` tag to document each property of the returned object along with its data type and a brief description.

By providing this detailed documentation, anyone using this function in the future will have a clear understanding of the structure of the object it returns. This not only enhances the readability of the code but also serves as a useful reference for developers interacting with the function.

Additionally, you can also document nested object structures by following a similar approach. Let's take a look at an example:

Javascript

/**
 * A function that returns a nested object
 * @returns {Object} An object with nested properties
 * @property {string} name - The name of the object
 * @property {Object} address - An object representing the address
 * @property {string} address.street - The street of the address
 * @property {string} address.city - The city of the address
 */
function getNestedObject() {
  return {
    name: 'Jane Smith',
    address: {
      street: '123 Main St',
      city: 'Springfield'
    }
  };
}

In this example, the `getNestedObject()` function returns an object that contains a nested `address` object with `street` and `city` properties. By using the `@property` tag recursively for nested objects, you can effectively document complex return structures in your code.

In conclusion, leveraging JSDoc to document the return object structure of your functions is a best practice that promotes code clarity and maintainability. By following the simple syntax demonstrated in this article, you can enhance the quality of your codebase and make it easier for yourself and other developers to work with your code.

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