phpDocumentor 2 vs Doxygen

Struggling to choose between phpDocumentor 2 and Doxygen? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

phpDocumentor 2 is a Development solution with tags like php, documentation, generator, open-source.

It boasts features such as Automatic documentation generation from PHP code, Support for PHP 5.3 - 7.2, Generates documentation in multiple formats like HTML, PDF, CHM, Syntax highlighting in generated docs, Linking between different code elements in generated docs, Template support to customize generated docs, Command line interface, Integration with CI tools like Jenkins and pros including Automates tedious documentation process, Saves time over manual documentation, Good for documenting large codebases, Output is customizable, Easy to integrate into workflows.

On the other hand, Doxygen is a Development product tagged with documentation, generator, c, c, java, objectivec, python.

Its standout features include Generates documentation from source code comments, Supports many programming languages like C++, C, Java, Objective-C, Python, Generates documentation in multiple formats like HTML, LaTeX, XML, Can extract diagrams like call graphs and inheritance diagrams from code, Customizable output through templates and CSS stylesheets, Automatic cross referencing between code entities, Supports documenting libraries and APIs, Can generate graphical class hierarchy diagrams, and it shines with pros like Well established and widely used, Mature and stable codebase, Good integration with various IDEs, Very customizable and extensible, Can generate different output formats, Automates documentation process, Reduces effort to keep docs in sync with code, Diagram generation is useful for understanding code.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

phpDocumentor 2

phpDocumentor 2

phpDocumentor 2 is an open source documentation generator for PHP code. It analyzes PHP source code to automatically generate documentation in HTML with links between the different elements.

Categories:
php documentation generator open-source

PhpDocumentor 2 Features

  1. Automatic documentation generation from PHP code
  2. Support for PHP 5.3 - 7.2
  3. Generates documentation in multiple formats like HTML, PDF, CHM
  4. Syntax highlighting in generated docs
  5. Linking between different code elements in generated docs
  6. Template support to customize generated docs
  7. Command line interface
  8. Integration with CI tools like Jenkins

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Automates tedious documentation process

Saves time over manual documentation

Good for documenting large codebases

Output is customizable

Easy to integrate into workflows

Cons

Steep learning curve

Limited default templates

Not ideal for small projects

Requires configuring and tweaking for best results


Doxygen

Doxygen

Doxygen is a popular open-source documentation generator for C++, C, Java, Objective-C, Python and other programming languages. It allows developers to document their code with specially formatted comments that Doxygen then parses to produce documentation in various formats like HTML, LaTeX, and XML.

Categories:
documentation generator c c java objectivec python

Doxygen Features

  1. Generates documentation from source code comments
  2. Supports many programming languages like C++, C, Java, Objective-C, Python
  3. Generates documentation in multiple formats like HTML, LaTeX, XML
  4. Can extract diagrams like call graphs and inheritance diagrams from code
  5. Customizable output through templates and CSS stylesheets
  6. Automatic cross referencing between code entities
  7. Supports documenting libraries and APIs
  8. Can generate graphical class hierarchy diagrams

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Well established and widely used

Mature and stable codebase

Good integration with various IDEs

Very customizable and extensible

Can generate different output formats

Automates documentation process

Reduces effort to keep docs in sync with code

Diagram generation is useful for understanding code

Cons

Steep learning curve

Configuration can be complex

HTML output styling is outdated

Diagram generation can be slow for large codebases

Limited WYSIWYG editing capabilities

Tagging code with comments can be tedious

Hard to document dynamic languages like Python well

Not ideal for narrative technical writing