DHCPstyle

DHCPstyle is a documentation and instructional writing approach developed for network engineering and system automation that emphasizes clarity, repeatability, and automation-friendly examples. It is named by analogy with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol in that it aims to automatically propagate correct configuration through well-structured templates and data-driven examples, though it does not prescribe any particular protocol.

Key features of DHCPstyle include explicitness, idempotence, modularity, machine readability, and testability. Descriptions specify every value and parameter, so repeated application yields the same result. Content is organized into modular sections such as scope, prerequisites, commands, and expected outcomes. Examples are written in machine-readable formats such as YAML, JSON, or straightforward command-line snippets, enabling automation tools to parse and reuse them. Verification steps and deterministic outputs are provided to facilitate testing and validation.

Applications of DHCPstyle are common in network operation guides, infrastructure-as-code repositories, and training materials where reproducibility is critical. The style supports automation by supplying ready-to-run blocks, validated configuration templates, and clear rollback procedures, making it suitable for on-boarding, incident response playbooks, and gradual deployments.

Limitations of DHCPstyle include potential verbosity and the discipline required to maintain consistency across documents. It may be less accessible to casual readers if overemphasized at the expense of narrative context, and it benefits from tooling to render, validate, and integrate templates effectively.

Relation to other styles: DHCPstyle complements traditional narrative documentation by providing a precise, example-driven layer that emphasizes reproducibility. It can be used alongside other styles and formats within a broader documentation strategy.