Creating the documentation with the essential knowledge (or links)

[raffaeler]

In the triage we observed questions on topics that can be considered essential knowledge to know when interfacing devices and sensors with our library.
We all agreed that it would be important creating one or more documents providing the «essentials» concepts useful for every user. This documentation is meant to collect only the topics that are not related to specific bindings.
These are the topics I suggest to include:

• How to setup and diagnose (this should include how to change the default pins for the peripheral)
  • I2C - https://github.com/dotnet/iot/blob/main/Documentation/raspi-i2c.md
  • SPI - https://github.com/dotnet/iot/blob/main/Documentation/raspi-spi.md
  • PWM - https://github.com/dotnet/iot/blob/main/Documentation/raspi-pwm.md
  • rs232, rs485
• Creating an IoT project (including the CLI/VS alternative procedures).
• Choosing the right driver (libpiod vs sysfs and why)
• How to run the IoT app in a container (a doc on this topic already exists)
• Debouncing a signal (see Jitter on PIN Rising and Falling on GPIO Pin callback #2260 (comment) and other comments). This should not be tied to the Button binding.
• Raspberry Pi 5 docs
• Instructions how to use docker with .NET IoT (see Add instructions on how to samples inside a docker container #764) - we can likely move instructions from https://github.com/dotnet/iot/blob/main/samples/led-blink/README.md#running-in-containers

Please feel free to add other topics or suggest removing one or more of the above list.

[krwq]

Here is what copilot came up with:

Documentation Strategy for Newbies

I'd like to suggest a comprehensive strategy to make the IoT library more accessible to newcomers:

1. Create a "Getting Started" Landing Page

Build a central Documentation/getting-started.md that serves as the main entry point for new users:

• Quick Start: A 5-minute "Hello World" example (blink an LED)
• Prerequisites: Hardware requirements, .NET installation, supported platforms
• Common Pitfalls: Permission issues, GPIO access, common error messages
• Navigation: Clear links to all essential topics below

2. Organize Documentation by User Journey

Structure documentation to match how users actually learn:

Phase 1: Setup (Day 1)

• Hardware setup and verification
• Permissions and GPIO access troubleshooting
• First successful program

Phase 2: Understanding Fundamentals (Week 1)

• GPIO basics (input/output, pull-up/pull-down resistors)
• Understanding protocols: When to use I2C vs SPI vs UART
• Driver selection guide (libgpiod vs sysfs)
• Reading datasheets and wiring diagrams

Phase 3: Common Patterns (Week 2-4)

• Debouncing signals (not tied to specific binding)
• Handling interrupts and events
• Power management considerations
• Error handling best practices

Phase 4: Production (Advanced)

• Deployment strategies
• Container usage
• Performance optimization
• Hardware debugging tools

3. Add Practical Elements to Each Doc

Each documentation page should include:

• Prerequisites: What you need to know/have before starting
• Step-by-step instructions: With expected output at each step
• Troubleshooting section: Common errors and solutions
• Verification: How to confirm it's working correctly
• Next steps: Where to go from here

4. Create Protocol-Specific Guides

Expand the existing I2C/SPI/PWM docs to include:

• What is it?: Brief explanation for absolute beginners
• When to use it?: Comparison with alternatives
• How to verify it works: Using command-line tools (i2cdetect, etc.)
• Common issues: With specific error messages and fixes
• Pin configuration: Including alternatives and conflicts

Missing protocol docs to add:

• UART/Serial (RS232/RS485)
• 1-Wire
• GPIO basics (digital input/output fundamentals)

5. Interactive Troubleshooting Guide

Create Documentation/troubleshooting.md with:

• Decision tree format: "Are you seeing error X? Try Y"
• Diagnostic commands to run
• Log interpretation guide
• Platform-specific issues (Raspberry Pi vs others)

6. Glossary and Concepts

Add Documentation/glossary.md with:

• Pull-up/pull-down resistors
• Active high/low
• Open drain/collector
• Voltage levels (3.3V vs 5V)
• Common abbreviations (GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART, PWM, etc.)

7. Platform-Specific Quickstart Guides

Create quick reference pages:

• Documentation/platforms/raspberry-pi-5.md (already tracked in Raspberry Pi 5 -> GPIO Package Can it Support as of Today ???? #2262)
• Documentation/platforms/raspberry-pi-4.md
• Documentation/platforms/orange-pi.md
• etc.

Each should include: GPIO pinout, default configurations, known issues, OS setup

8. Code Examples Strategy

• Keep examples in docs simple and focused on one concept
• Link to full examples in /samples for complex scenarios
• Always show complete, runnable code (including using statements)
• Show both C# 10+ top-level statements AND traditional format

9. Documentation Structure Proposal

Documentation/
├── README.md (landing page with navigation)
├── getting-started.md (quick start guide)
├── glossary.md
├── troubleshooting.md
├── fundamentals/
│   ├── gpio-basics.md
│   ├── understanding-protocols.md
│   ├── choosing-drivers.md
│   ├── reading-datasheets.md
│   └── debouncing.md
├── protocols/
│   ├── i2c.md (expand existing raspi-i2c.md)
│   ├── spi.md (expand existing raspi-spi.md)
│   ├── uart.md (new)
│   ├── pwm.md (expand existing raspi-pwm.md)
│   └── gpio.md (new)
├── platforms/
│   ├── raspberry-pi-5.md
│   ├── raspberry-pi-4.md
│   └── ...
├── deployment/
│   ├── containers.md (existing docker docs)
│   ├── systemd-services.md
│   └── cross-compilation.md
└── advanced/
    ├── performance.md
    ├── custom-drivers.md
    └── hardware-debugging.md

10. Validation with Real Newbies

• Add a "Was this helpful?" section to each doc
• Link to create issues for documentation feedback
• Consider recruiting volunteers to test docs with fresh Raspberry Pis

---

Priority Implementation Order:

1. Create getting-started.md landing page
2. Enhance existing protocol docs (I2C, SPI, PWM) with troubleshooting
3. Add UART/Serial documentation
4. Create troubleshooting.md and glossary.md
5. Build out fundamentals section
6. Platform-specific guides
7. Advanced topics

Would this approach work for the team? I'm happy to help implement any of these sections.

[krwq]

Let's go according to this plan, let copilot handle it.