Executable Documentation is programatically bound to the software it documents. As we feed new information back into the development process, executable documentation is updated with the software, so it is always up to date and relevant. As with most good ideas, executable documentation is no silver bullet but, when managed with care and attention, can provide significant benefit.

In this talk, we'll explore the concept of executable documentation and various tools (including but not limited to RSpec) that support it, where they came from, where they are now, and where they are headed. We'll discuss different audiences and purposes for executable documentation, the benefits and costs of maintaining it, and environmental concerns that can impact its effectiveness in both negative and positive ways.