“cargo doc” is a command-line tool in the Rust programming language that allows developers to build and view offline documentation for Rust packages. It is an essential tool for generating and accessing comprehensive documentation for Rust codebases.
Here are the key features and functionalities of “cargo doc”:
- Documentation Generation: “cargo doc” generates documentation for a Rust package based on the code’s inline comments, also known as doc comments. It scans the source code, extracts the comments, and compiles them into HTML files. This process converts the code comments into readable and navigable documentation.
- Offline Documentation: “cargo doc” creates self-contained HTML documentation that can be accessed offline without requiring an internet connection. Once generated, the documentation is stored in a target directory within the project. This allows developers to access and browse the documentation locally, making it convenient for reference, sharing, and distribution.
- Documenting Dependencies: In addition to the local package, “cargo doc” can also generate documentation for the dependencies specified in the project’s “Cargo.toml” file. This feature ensures that the documentation includes comprehensive information about the project’s dependencies, making it easier to understand and utilize external code.
- Interactive Documentation: The generated documentation includes various interactive features to enhance the browsing experience. Developers can navigate through different modules, structs, functions, and other elements of the codebase. The documentation provides links, cross-references, and search functionality, allowing users to quickly find relevant information and explore the project’s API.
- Integration with External Tools: “cargo doc” integrates seamlessly with external tools and platforms. For example, it can generate documentation compatible with Rust’s official documentation hosting service, docs.rs. This allows developers to publish and share their documentation online, making it accessible to a broader audience.
- Documentation Configuration: “cargo doc” provides configuration options to customize the generated documentation. Developers can specify the formatting style, include or exclude specific modules or elements, and control the level of detail included in the documentation. This flexibility allows developers to tailor the documentation to their project’s specific needs.
- Continuous Documentation Generation: “cargo doc” is often integrated into continuous integration (CI) workflows, where it automatically generates documentation for each code commit or release. This ensures that the documentation stays up to date with the latest changes in the codebase, providing an accurate and reliable reference for developers and users.
“cargo doc” is a powerful tool for Rust developers, enabling the generation and offline viewing of comprehensive documentation for Rust packages. By making the documentation easily accessible, searchable, and customizable, it promotes code understanding, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within the Rust ecosystem.
cargo doc Command Examples
1. Build and view the default package documentation in the browser:
# cargo doc --open
2. Build documentation without accessing the network:
# cargo doc --offline
3. View a particular package’s documentation:
# cargo doc --open --package package
4. View a particular package’s documentation offline:
# cargo doc --open --offline --package package