Literate programming: a software engineering perspective

Initial impressions of literate programming tend to the view that this is the software equivalent of the “Faberge egg”: ornate beyond all practical uses. However, recent advances in the field have produced tools that are less ornate, easy to use and eminently practical. We take a critical look at what literate programming has to offer in the practice and teaching of software engineering, and present a brief review of the state-of-the-art tools now (freely) available. No previous experience with literate programming is assumed