What is the use of documentation?mananging information

Documentation is a rather general activity meaning
recording in a document form any useful information. Thus documents refer to any
recorded information.

Traditionally documents referred to
the paper records of any information such as contracts, certificates, forms and other
papers used in routine business documents, and manuals. However, with the increasing
usage of computers, the documents can also be in the form of electronic
records.

The purpose of documentation in general is to make
record  information for use whenever required. The documents may be used for a one time
and immediate specific use. For example a purchase order is a document used in this way.
Other documents may be used for referring again and again. User manuals is an example of
such documents. Still other type of documents are created and preserved for possible
future use. For example, at the close of  project, some history of the project may be
documented just in case some one wants to study it in
future.

Documents are also used a a proof of truth of
certain facts such as decisions taken, instructions given and agreements reached. These
documents are used as reference and for establishing the facts if and when
required.