What are the key differences between using inline comments versus dedicated documentation files for a large software project?

The key differences between inline comments and dedicated documentation files lie in their scope, maintainability, and target audience. Inline comments are short explanations embedded directly within the code, intended to clarify specific lines or sections of code for developers working on the project. They are best suited for explaining complex logic, providing context for non-obvious code, or documenting the purpose of individual functions or variables. However, inline comments can clutter the code and become outdated if not maintained diligently. Dedicated documentation files, on the other hand, are separate documents that provide a comprehensive overview of the project's architecture, API, usage, and other relevant information. They are typically written using a documentation generator like JSDoc or Sphinx, which allows for structured documentation with cross-references, examples, and tutorials. Dedicated documentation files are better suited for describing the overall project design, explaining complex workflows, and providing guidance for both developers and users. They are also easier to maintain and update, as they are separate from the code and can be versioned independently. For a large software project, a combination of both inline comments and dedicated documentation files is often necessary, with inline comments providing quick explanations within the code and dedicated documentation files providing a comprehensive overview of the project.