Outputexamples

Outputexamples are illustrative results produced by a program, function, API, or workflow, shown to accompany input examples or usage instructions. They demonstrate the exact form and type of results users can expect, aiding validation, learning, and correct integration. Outputexamples may include plain text, numeric values, structured data such as JSON or XML, logs, error messages, or descriptions of visual outputs in text form.

In documentation and tutorials, outputexamples are paired with input Examples or parameters and often specify the environment, version, and any nondeterministic factors. They may cover typical cases, boundary conditions, and failure modes. Curators aim for accuracy, representativeness, and reproducibility; when outputs depend on external data or randomness, seeds, timestamps, or caveats are provided.

Best practices for creating outputexamples include labeling each example with the scenario, listing the input, and presenting the resulting output clearly and unambiguously. If multiple outputs are possible, examples may show the most common result or a range, with notes about variance. In API references, outputexamples help define response shapes, status codes, and error payloads, assisting developers in writing assertions and tests.

Outputexamples differ from input examples in that they focus on results rather than requests. They are a core component of user documentation, test suites, and educational materials, contributing to clarity, reproducibility, and reliable software use.