Write Python Docstrings Effectively

Joseph Peart
Joseph Peart 8 Lessons 31m Feb 17, 2026 basics best-practices

Writing clear, consistent docstrings in Python helps others understand your code’s purpose, parameters, and outputs. In this video course, you’ll learn about best practices, standard formats, and common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring your documentation is accessible to users and tools alike.

By the end of this video course, you’ll understand that:

  • Docstrings are strings used to document your Python code and can be accessed at runtime.
  • Python comments and docstrings have important differences.
  • One-line and multiline docstrings are classifications of docstrings.
  • Common docstring formats include reStructuredText, Google-style, NumPy-style, and doctest-style.
  • Antipatterns such as inconsistent formatting should be avoided when writing docstrings.

What’s Included:

  • 8 Lessons
  • Video Subtitles and Full Transcripts
  • 2 Downloadable Resources
  • Accompanying Text-Based Tutorial
  • Interactive Quiz to Check Your Progress
  • Q&A With Python Experts: Ask a Question
  • Certificate of Completion

Downloadable Resources:

About Joseph Peart

Joseph is a software developer, data geek, bootcamp instructor, and board game enthusiast. He lives in Canada with his wife and cats. He loves learning new things, teaching those things to other people, and talking about himself in the third person.

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