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CFEngine documentation

This repository holds the sources for the technical CFEngine documentation in markdown files. If you have a texteditor, know how to write markdown and English and would like to contribute to the CFEngine documentation, then we'd like to invite you to collaborate here!

If you would like to notify us about incorrect documentation, but don't have the time or the knowledge to make a correction directly here, then you can report the issue in the regular CFEngine bug tracker. Use the "Documentation" category when you create bugs. And of course you can search the bug tracker for known issues with the documentation, and help the community of CFEngine users by correcting some of them.

Writing documentation

The CFEngine documentation is written in regular markdown, with some extensions as documented below. Check out the cheatsheet!

To keep the source readable in Git and workable with a broad range of tools, keep the line length in paragraphs below 78 characters.

If you don't know Git, then you can still contribute to the documentation using the GitHub interface as long as you have a GitHub account. Fork this repository (called the upstream) using the GitHub web interface, make changes in your fork and create pull requests so that your changes can be merged into the upstream repository.

It is in general advisable to make small commits that are submitted through pull requests frequently. Otherwise any structural changes to documentation content can cause merge conflicts that are hard to resolve.

Capitalization

Avoid capitalizing things unnecessarily (features, concepts, titles). Titles and headings use sentence case (so don't capitalize each word). Some names should always be capitalized in a specific way:

• CFEngine
• CFEngine Build
• CFEngine Docs
• CFEngine Enterprise
• Linux, macOS, Windows, Unix (and other names of operating systems)
• Mission Portal
• UI, CVE, TCP, TLS, API, HTTP, JSON (and other abbreviations)

Titles and verb tenses

Avoid imperative tense in titles. Use -ing or nouns instead, some examples:

• What not to do:
  • "Write policy"
  • "Manage packages"
  • "Install CFEngine"
  • "Get started"
• Titles you can use instead:
  • "Policy writing" (or "Writing policy")
  • "Package management" (or "Managing packages")
  • "CFEngine installation" (or "Installing CFEngine")
  • "Getting started"

Since anything can be managed, "managing" tends to be used a lot. Try to use other words: "editing", "updating", "changing", "creating", "setting".

Documentation structure

Structure

Pages are organized hierarchically in category/subcategory relationships, corresponding to the organization of the .markdown files in the repository.

The content of the file

documentation/path/of/categories.markdown

will generate a HTML page

docs.cfengine.com/docs/version/path-of-categories.html

with equivalent location in the left-hand navigation tree.

The documentation generation inserts a link to the source markdown in the footer of each page.

Note: Do not use markdown files prefixed with .. They are not picked up by the documentation generator. You can use . prefixed page titles.

META tags

Additional META tags you should set are:

layout: default

Leave this as default.

title: "The Title"

The title of the page. Quoting is only necessary if the title contains YAML keywords (like "on").

published: true|false

Pages that set this tag to false will not be part of the navigation structure. The HTML content will however be generated.

tags: [list, of, tags with space, all lowercase]

Keywords for this page, which will be displayed on top of the page, and used when generating the tag-pages.

reviewed: yyyy-mm-dd
reviewed-by: github-user

Keeping track of when a documentation page has last been reviewed.

sorting: number

Sort order within the parent category. Tip: make jumps in 10's so that pages can be inserted later.

META tag values will be interpreted literally, and cannot contain :, [ and ].

Image files

Image files are in the same directory as the markdown files that embed them. Give files unique names to avoid overwrites in the generated website.

See Style Guide - Charts and graphs for style requirements for images.

Warning: It is important for images and other binary files to be marked as a binary file in .gitattributes. Binary file patterns not specifically marked may be mangled and corrupted within Git.

Links

To link to pages within the documentation, use the syntax:

[Link text][Page Title]

If Link text is the title of the target page, you can also use this shorthand:

[Page Title][]

To link to a section within the target page, use:

[Link text][Page Title#Section in Page]

To links to sections within the current page, you can also skip the page title:

[Go to section][#Section in Current Page]

For standard URLs and locations to link to, see the mapping.

Automatic linking

The documentation generator automatically creates links for words in code markers if that word exists as a page or section title.

**See also:** `attribute_name`, `function()`

This will automatically link to the section or page with title attribute_name. To make explicit links from code words, use code markers in the link text.

**See also:** [`attribute_name`][page#attributename]

When the word is a function, mark it as such using ():

**See also:** [`classify()`][classify]

Section titles of the form

### section title

are included in that automatic linking. To exclude a section header from that automatic linking, use the form

### section title, no linking ###

which is otherwise equivalent for the markdown renderer.

To use keywords in inline code without creating an automatic link, use triple backticks:

The ```meta``` parameter to this function...

With single backticks, this would link to the documentation of the meta attribute or promise type.

Macros

The documentation generator will pre-process the markdown content before passing it to Jekyll for the rendering. The pre-processor understands and replaces the macros. Macros all have the form

[%CFEngine_MACRO(parameters)%]

and need to be used as a separate line, as the entire line will be replaced by the pre-processor.

Quoting policy files

The following macros read code from a file and inject the text in that file into the documentation. Contol comments in the file and regular expressions passed to the macros can be used to specify which sections of the file should be injected.

The injected lines will be in a CFEngine code block. Comment lines (ie lines starting with #) are omitted, unless they start with #@ , in which case they interrupt the code block and are rendered as markdown. All lines between a lines starting with #[%-%] and #[%+%] are skipped.

The generator searches for filename in the core/examples subdirectory of WKRDIR.

• [%CFEngine_include_example(filename)%]

Injects the code from filename.

• [%CFEngine_include_snippet(filename, begin_rx, end_rx [optional])%]

Searches filename for the first line that matches the regular expression begin_rx, and injects all lines as a code block from there until the first line that matches end_rx. If end_rx is omitted, all lines until the end of the file will be injected.

If the line that matches the regular expression is a comment, then it is excluded from the quote, otherwise it is included.

• [%CFEngine_include_markdown(filename, begin_rx, end_rx [optional])%]

Searches filename for the first line that matches the regular expression begin_rx, and injects all lines verbatim from there until the first line that matches end_rx. If end_rx is omitted, all lines until the end of the file will be injected.

Documenting policy libraries

• [%CFEngine_library_include(filename)%]

Parses the JSON version of the CFEngine policy in filename and generates documentation from it.

The generator searches for the library in JSON format in the _generated subdirectory of the documentation generator. filename needs to be provided without file extension.

The generator parses comments between bundle/body prototype declaration and the opening { as doxygen syntax, supporting the following tags:

@brief text

Generates the Description section.

@param attr text

Includes text in the documentation for attribute attr within the Arguments section.

@return text

Generates the Return value statement.

The content in text is then rendered as standard markdown, and can span multiple lines and paragraphs.

@ignore

The generator will completely ignore this body or bundle; no documentation will be emitted.

All comments before the first doxygen-style tag will be ignored.

Documenting CFEngine syntax elements

The following macros require the syntax map to be generated via cf-promises -s into a file syntax_map.json within the _generated subdirectory of the documentation generator.

• [%CFEngine_function_prototype(arg1, arg2, ...)%]

Renders the prototype of the function that has the same name as the title of the current page. Parameters arg1 etc are used for the names of the parameters:

    **Prototype:** `title(arg1, arg2, ...)`

    **Return type:** `type`

Use this before a **Description:** section in which the behavior of the function as well as the individual parameters are then explained.

• [%CFEngine_function_attributes(arg1, arg2, ...)%]

Renders a list of attributes for the function that has the same name as the title of the current page. arg1 etc are used for the parameter names:

    **Arguments:**

    * `arg1`: `type1`, in the range: `regex`
    * `arg2`: `type2`, one of
        * `option1`
        * `option2`

Links to known keywords are generated automatically.

Document the individual parameters either directly in the **Description:** section, or as a block after using this macro. You cannot use the macro if individual options of option-type parameters need detailed explanation.

• [%CFEngine_promise_attribute(default)%]

Renders the syntax description of the current promise attribute. The current markdown needs to comply with the following:

The current page title is assumed to be the promise type. The current level-3 header is assumed to be the attribute name, or - if the current promise attribute is a body type - the name of the body. In a body type, the current level 4 header is interpreted to be the body attribute.

Example:

    ---
    title: promise_type
    ---

    ## Attributes

    ### attribute1

    [%CFEngine_promise_attribute(default)%]

    This will document "attribute1" of "promise_type"

    ### body

    #### attribute1

    [%CFEngine_promise_attribute(default)%]

    This will document "attribute1" of "body"

The generated markdown is:

    **Type:** `type`

    **Allowed input range:** `range`

    * `option1`
    * `option2`

If a default parameter is provided, then a **Default value:** statement is created.

• [%CFEngine_function_table()%]

Renders a table of built-in functions, grouped by function category.

• [%CFEngine_syntax_map(subtree)%]

Renders a nested tree of CFEngine words, starting at subtree.

Other macros

• [%CFEngine_redirect(target)]

Injects javascript that redirects the current page to the HTML page for target, which needs to be a title or title#section combination as in regular [text][title#section] links.

Content style guide

Make sure you follow this style guide to make using CFEngine and the documentation a consistent and pleasant experience.

Writing for the web

• use subheadings to structure content
• keep paragraphs short
• support scanning of pages

Spelling

CFEngine documentation follows the American spelling.

Punctuation

Oxford comma

In punctuation, a serial comma (also called Oxford comma) needs to be placed immediately before the conjunction (often "and" or "or") in a series of three or more terms.

Example:

I would like crackers, cheese, and garlic.

The comma as a separator between compound sentences

Use comma to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

However, the comma can be dropped in the following cases:

• if both independent clauses are quite short, especially if the two clauses are very closely related, and even more so if the subject of both clauses is the same, or
• if only the first clause is quite short, especially if the two clauses are very closely related, and even more so if the subject of both clauses is the same.

Periods and spaces

The period ending a sentence should be followed by 1 space.

Emphasizing

When referring to technical words, such as CFEngine keywords, filenames or commands, use backticks to format that word as code (ie monospaced font). If the word is a known word, a link will automatically generated (see above).

When referring to UI elements or interactive functionality, use *italic*.

To highlight sections of texts without starting a new header, use **bold**.

Abbreviations

As a general note, avoiding abbreviations provides better readability.

Latin expressions commonly used in English

• i.e. (that is)
• e.g. (for example)
• cf. (compare)
• etc. (and so forth)
• vs.(versus)
• et al. (and others)

Charts and graphs

• use clear shapes
• avoid shadows
• stick to black, white, and grey
• avoid background fill colors on large items

Technical reference documentation

• follow the Policy style guide in examples and code snippets

• use the appropriate lexer for syntax highlighting via Pygments

  Most important are the cf3 lexer, as well as bash, console, diff, shell-session and sql. But Jekyll supports many more lexers

• avoid custom color schemes and hand-coded HTML

• document the example after the example code

The structure of the technical documentation about CFEngine attributes, functions etc is as follows:

Promise attributes

Promise attributes are documented within the respective promise types's reference page. Level-3 headers are used to start a new attribute (if the promise attribute requires a body template, then see next section).

----
title: promise-type
----

...

### Promise Attribute

**Description:** One line summary.

Longer explanation on what it does and why it is useful,
over multiple paragraphs if necessary.

[%CFEngine_promise_attribute(default value)%]

More information about special input values.

**Example:**

```f3
    Some code with
    cf3 markers
    for syntax highlighting
```

If the example requires explanation, do it here. Consider using
CFEngine comments within the code directly to explain. Preferably,
use the `include_snippet` macro (see above) to inject code from an external
.cf file that is known to run and produce the expected output.

**Notes:**

Additional information, spanning as many paragraphs as necessary, but mind
the style guide.

**See also:** `related_attribute`, [`attribute`][other_page#attribute]

Bodies

For promise attributes with a body type, you can start with an example of that body type, with the most relevant attributes set to self-explanatory values.

### attribute

**Description:** One line summary.

Longer explanation on what this body template is used for,
over multiple paragraphs if necessary.

[%CFEngine_promise_attribute()%]

**Example:**

```cf3
body promise_attribute example
{
   attribute1 => "value1";
   attribute2 => "value2";
}
```

Start explaining each attribute in the body then using level4-headings, following the style for promise attributes as explained above. Examples should be a code snippet at this point, no need for a complete piece of runnable code.

Functions

No header necessary - there is one function per page, and the page's title is the name of the function.

[%CFEngine_function_prototype(parameter1, parameters2, ...)%]

**Description:** Returns something based on `parameter1` and `parameter2`.

Longer explanation on what it does and why it is useful then afterwards.

Summarize what the function does and reference the most important parameters by
name, typical use cases etc.

Over multiple paragraphs if necessary.

[%CFEngine_function_attributes(parameter1, parameter2)%]

Explain important attribute values, correlations and limitations.

**Example:**

```cf3
    Some code with
    cf3 markers
    for syntax highlighting
```

If the example requires explanation, do it here. Consider using
CFEngine comments within the code directly to explain, and the `include_snippet`
macro to inject code from an external .cf file that is known to work.

**Notes:**

Additional information, spanning as many paragraphs as necessary, but mind
the style guide.

**See also:** `related_function()`, `related_attribute`

Note: The function_attributes macro will generate a simple enumeration of all attributes, with the types and allowed in put range coming from the syntax map, and the names as provided. If you want to explain each attribute directly after it being listed, don't use the macro, and list the attributes explicitly:

**Arguments:**

* `named`: valid input

First argument does this.

* `parameters`: valid input

This argument does that.

Special variables

Special variables are documented within the page of their context.

### context.variable

Explanation.

**See also:** `other_variable`

Publishing

Jekyll is used to generate the HTML pages. The toolchain is available at https://github.com/cfengine/documentation/tree/master/generator. After you compile pages, Jekyll will place all files into the _site folder, without subdirectories.

Commits in this repository trigger the documentation generator to run, which then updates the contents of https://docs.cfengine.com/docs/

The documentation generation creates a log file that lists undocumented syntax elements, ambiguous link targets and other stuff that can be improved at https://docs.cfengine.com/docs/master/cfdoc_log.html

Semi-automatic formatting

We have a Python script and GitHub Action to automatically fix some common markdown mistakes. This is designed to not be super strict on purpose, it only fixes very specific things, such as:

• Trims trailing whitespace at the end of lines
• Replace some utf-8 symbols which have an ascii lookalike
• Ensures exactly 1 newline before the end of the file
• De-indents code blocks where everything inside the code block is indented

When someone makes one of these "mistakes" it is highlighted in the Pull Request by the GitHub Action. If you want to run this script locally and have it fix these things for you, you can:

find . -name '*.markdown' -type f -exec python3 .github/workflows/markdowner.py {} all \;

In many cases, you can also configure your editor to help you with these things.

License

See the LICENSE file.

Authors

CFEngine was originally created by Mark Burgess with many contributions from around the world. Thanks everyone!

CFEngine is sponsored by Northern.tech AS