Asciidoctor vs Sphinx: What are the differences?

Asciidoctor and Sphinx are both popular documentation tools used for creating documentation websites. However, there are key differences between the two that set them apart and make them suitable for different use cases.

1. Syntax and Markup Languages: Asciidoctor uses a straightforward and human-friendly syntax based on plain text, making it easy for both developers and non-developers to write and understand. On the other hand, Sphinx uses a more complex reStructuredText markup language, which offers a wider range of features but requires a steeper learning curve.

2. Language Support: Asciidoctor supports a broader range of programming languages out of the box, including but not limited to Ruby, Java, JavaScript, and Python. Sphinx, on the other hand, has excellent integration with the Python ecosystem and is commonly used for documenting Python projects.

3. Document Generation: Asciidoctor generates static HTML files, which makes it easier to deploy and host the documentation. In contrast, Sphinx generates a set of HTML files along with a search index and other resources, allowing for more advanced features like full-text search and cross-referencing.

4. Theming and Customization: Asciidoctor provides a more flexible theming system, allowing users to customize the appearance and layout of their documentation websites to a greater extent. Sphinx, on the other hand, offers a more opinionated theming approach with a wide range of predefined themes.

5. Community and Ecosystem: Asciidoctor has a growing community and ecosystem with various plugins and extensions available for enhancing its functionality. Sphinx, on the other hand, benefits from a well-established Python community and integrates seamlessly with popular Python tools and frameworks.

6. Documentation Output Formats: Asciidoctor can generate output formats beyond HTML, including PDF and EPUB, making it suitable for creating different types of documentation. Sphinx, while mainly focused on generating HTML output, also provides support for PDF generation through LaTeX.

In Summary, Asciidoctor and Sphinx differ in terms of syntax and markup languages, language support, document generation, theming and customization options, community and ecosystem, and documentation output formats.