What Is SDK Documentation and How Does It Differ From API?

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Claudiu
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Differentiating between SDK and API documentation can be difficult at times. Therefore, in this article, we will explain what SDK documentation is and how it differs from API.

In the world of software development, understanding the difference between SDKs and APIs and their uses and benefits can be invaluable.

Software development is a complex field, and SDKs and APIs can make this complexity more manageable for developers of any level.

However, every useful tool needs to include documentation that helps get the most out of it.

Technical writers have the knowledge and skills to make great documentation for SDKs and APIs. But first, they need to learn what each of them entails.

Let’s get started!

What Is SDK Documentation

SDK documentation is crucial for software developers who want to be consistent and efficient.

That type of documentation accompanies SDKs, so before delving any deeper into it, we have to answer one question—what is an SDK?

SDK stands for software development kit. Here’s how Keerthi Rangan, content management and SEO specialist, explains it:

Keerthi Rangan explains what is SDK
Source: Archbee.com

In other words, it’s helpful to think about it as a literal kit that has various tools which make developers’ work easier.

Similar to, for instance, a toolbox for mechanics, SDK has a wide range of specific tools for software developers.

Sure, a skilled mechanic can improvise with what he or she has at the moment, but it’s far more efficient and logical to have everything needed in one place.

The same goes for software developers.

Also, SDKs are specific, as Rangan mentioned above. That means they differ based on a specific programming language, platform, or framework.

For instance, ClickSend has ten different SDKs.

ClickSend has ten different SDKs
Source: ClickSend

That way, developers can choose what they need based on the programming language they create software in.

So, what is in an SDK? Here are some of the things it can contain:

As you can see, documentation is also a part of it.

It’s a resource that helps developers understand and use the tools in the SDK and create new software with it.

It can include tutorials, code snippets, installation guides, etc. As its purpose is to accompany an SDK, the contents depend on the toolkit it comes with.

For example, below, you can see what a part of Stripe’s SDK documentation for Android looks like.

Stripe’s SDK documentation for Android
Source: Stripe

As you can see, it’s a setup guide for installing the SDK. The instructions are straightforward, and the guide provides a helpful code example.

At this point, you probably understand why it can be important to have SDK documentation.

Let’s go into more detail about those reasons in the next section.

Why Is SDK Documentation Important

In the previous section, we already touched on the reason why SDK documentation is important.

Essentially, it guides developers through using all the helpful parts of an SDK. Now, let’s go into the specifics of what that means.

SDKs are immensely valuable in software development because they can make the development process quicker and more streamlined.

Developers have the tools necessary to create software on different platforms.

For instance, SDKs usually have code samples for Android, iOS, and websites, and developers can use and reuse those samples as they see fit.

Take a look at the example from Amity. If a developer wants to add a function of mentioning someone in the comments or replies in iOS, all they have to do is add the code you can see below.

Example from Amity
Source: Amity

That’s important because they don’t have to write it from scratch whenever they want to implement that function, saving them time for other work.

As you can also see from the link above, Amity writers created documentation for their SDKs so that developers could know all the properties related to the mentioned function, and how it works, see an example of what it looks like in a comment, etc.

Amity writers created documentation for their SDKs
Source: Amity

That way, the developers get all the context and information about the function.

In other words, great SDK documentation has significant educational value.

For instance, without Google’s SDK documentation, this developer wouldn’t have learned how to style Google Maps in Android.

How you can style Google Maps in Android
Source: Twitter

Luckily for developers, Google has comprehensive SDK documentation.

It includes everything they need, like tutorials, links to the code for specific functions, step-by-step instructions, API keys, styling wizard, etc.

Google comprehensive SDK documentation
Source: Google

In a nutshell, SDKs are very valuable to developers.

They create conditions for a more efficient workflow, reduce the need for repetitive work, make integrations with other software easier, etc.

They’re like the Swiss Army knives of software development.

But they also need well-written documentation to go along with them to put all of those valuable tools into context and provide instructions on how, when, where, and why to use them.

SDK vs. API Documentation: Key Differences

SDKs and APIs can be easily confused because they share certain similarities. However, there are some key differences between them, as well as between their documentation.

For starters, let’s define what an API is.

It stands for application programming interface, and as the author and web developer Kristopher Sandoval, puts it, it’s basically a way of communication between different pieces of software.

Kristopher Sandoval quote about API
Source: Archbee.com

As he further explains, an API is like a translator between two languages so that two instruction sets can be transferred and understood by different pieces of software.

Keerthi Rangan, whom we’ve mentioned earlier, gives an example of an API that connects Google calendar and travel software.

That way, when a user schedules a trip in the travel software, the API synchronizes with the calendar and inputs the same trip into it.

It's at this point that we look at API documentation examples. Its purpose is to provide instructions on how to use and integrate API effectively.

For instance, how to do precisely what we just described—integrate Google Calendar and your app.

How to integrate Google Calendar and your app.
Source: Google

In other words, API documentation tells developers what to do with APIs, how to do it, provides use cases, samples, ways to handle errors, etc.

The crucial difference between API documentation described above and SDK documentation is that the former can be a part of the latter, but not the other way around.

In short, APIs are one of the components of SDKs, one of the tools in the toolbox that is SDK. And they have the specific purpose of allowing communication between pieces of software.

On the other hand, SDKs contain tools for building whole systems and creating entire applications—something APIs can’t be used for.

Therefore, SDK documentation, like Twilio’s below, has instructions and information about all of those tools, including APIs.

Twilio’s SDK documentation
Source: Twilio

To sum up, API documentation can be a part of SDK documentation, but not vice versa.

Likewise, APIs are a part of the kit, while SDKs are an entire kit.

How to Write Good SDK Documentation

As we’ve established by now, SDK documentation is undeniably useful.

However, because of its complexity, producing high-quality SDK documentation can be a real challenge for a technical writer.

One reason is that SDKs are not the same for every programming language.

For example, as Tom Johnson, a technical writing expert and blogger, points out, PayPal has SDKs for Node JS, PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, etc.

Of course, those are different programming languages and frameworks, so a technical writer can’t create documentation that is universally applicable to all of them.

So, there is comprehensive documentation just for PHP SDK, for example.

There is comprehensive documentation just for PHP SDK
Source: PayPal

And creating detailed documentation like that is a tall order.

A technical writer needs to have a good understanding of the programming language he writes the documentation for. Otherwise, it simply can’t be useful as a guide for developers.

Tom Johnson shares some more insights on this matter:

When deciding whether to call a block of code a function, class, method, or another name, you need to have a basic understanding of the terms used in that language.

While we’re on the topic of understanding the terms, you shouldn’t assume that a developer is an expert in every programming language you write SDK documentation for.

Therefore, a glossary of terms can benefit them, elevating the usefulness of SDK documentation.

For instance, Microsoft included a glossary of terms for their Visual Studio SDK documentation.

Microsoft glossary of terms for their Visual Studio SDK
Source: Microsoft

That makes reading complex technical documentation like SDK documentation more manageable.

Another great addition to the SDK documentation you can make is to include code samples.

They show the reader exactly what the code for a specific feature looks like, but they also make the documentation more readable by breaking up large chunks of text.

Below you can see what that looks like in Nexweave’s SDK documentation.

Nexweave’s SDK documentation
Source: Nexweave

Its documentation is built in Archbee, a platform great for creating all sorts of documentation, including SDK.

In addition to implementing code samples, which you can see above, Archbee has helpful collaboration features that can make a technical writer’s job a lot easier.

For instance, writers can collaborate directly in documents with developers and other experts who can check for any mistakes or help writers with particularly complex parts.

Archbee has helpful collaboration features
Source: Archbee.com

That way, SDK documentation will be accurate, and any issues noticed in proofreading can be easily corrected by anyone with permission to edit.

Good SDK documentation is challenging to create, but with the tips we’ve discussed in this section, it’s a challenge that you can undoubtedly conquer.

Conclusion

Differentiating between SDK and API documentation can be difficult at times.

That’s because they sometimes contain similar information and are both highly technical in nature.

However, we hope that we’ve cleared the confusion with this article.

SDKs and APIs are immensely useful tools for developers, and creating quality documentation for them is crucial for getting the most out of them.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SDK in software development?
Expand FAQ
SDK stands for software development kit. It is like a toolbox that has various tools which make developers’ work easier. SDKs are specific to a programming language, platform, or framework and can contain various elements such as code libraries, code samples, debuggers, APIs, and documentation. It aids developers to be consistent and efficient in their work.
What is the role of SDK documentation?
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SDK documentation is a resource that helps developers understand and use the tools in the SDK and create new software with it. This documentation can include tutorials, code snippets, installation guides, etc. It's useful for understanding how to optimally use the SDK and navigate its complexities.
What is an API and its documentation?
Expand Button
API stands for application programming interface and it is a way of communication between different pieces of software. API documentation provides instructions on how to use and integrate the API effectively. It tells developers what to do with APIs, how to do it, provides use cases, samples, and methods to handle errors.
What is the key difference between SDK and API documentation?
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The key difference between API and SDK documentation is that while API documentation can be part of SDK documentation, the reverse is not true. SDKs contain tools for building whole systems and creating entire applications—something APIs can’t be used for. Therefore, SDK documentation has instructions and information about all of those tools, including APIs.
What are some tips for writing good SDK documentation?
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Writing good SDK documentation involves understanding the programming language and the relevant terms in that language. Including a glossary of terms can be helpful. Also, including code samples in the documentation makes it more readable and gives the reader a clear idea of what the code for a specific feature looks like. Using a platform like Archbee, which allows collaboration directly in documents with developers and other experts, can also make the job easier.

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