Multi-Language Code Samples Compared
Short answer: Both produce code samples, but a reference generated from the contract derives cURL, Node, Python, and Go from the real operations and responses, so the samples match what the debugger validates. Hand-authored samples are precise and drift. The shared source is the difference.
Why samples drift
They are written once and copied into the docs. When the API changes, the sample is the last thing updated, and a wrong sample is a direct error for a new developer.
What generated samples share
| Property | Authored | Generated |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Hand-written | Operations and responses |
| Consistency | As maintained | With the contract |
| On change | Manual | On save |
| Match debugger | Not guaranteed | Yes |
The failure that matters
A sample that uses a field the API no longer has, or omits a required one, is the classic docs bug. Generated samples reflect the current contract, so they cannot be stale.
The honest takeaway
Authored samples are the right tool for a small, stable surface with bespoke explanations. Generated samples are the lower-maintenance path for a changing API.
Return to the Powerduck vs Mintlify comparison, or read the OpenAPI guide.