Asciidoc vs Markdown

AsciiDoc and Markdown are both lightweight markup languages that are commonly used to create plain text documents that can be easily converted to HTML or other formats. Both languages have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for a particular project will depend on the specific requirements of that project.

AsciiDoc

AsciiDoc is a more powerful and flexible markup language than Markdown. It has a richer set of features, including support for tables, images, and cross-references. AsciiDoc can also be used to generate a wider variety of output formats, including PDF, DocBook, and EPUB.

Markdown

Markdown is a simpler and more minimalist markup language than AsciiDoc. It is easier to learn and use, and it is often considered to be more readable. Markdown is a good choice for projects that require simple and straightforward documentation.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between AsciiDoc and Markdown:

Feature	AsciiDoc	Markdown
Power and flexibility	More powerful and flexible	Simpler and more minimalist
Features	Supports tables, images, cross-references, and more	Supports basic text formatting, links, and headings
Output formats	HTML, PDF, DocBook, EPUB, and more	HTML, Markdown, and other formats
Learning curve	Steeper	Easier to learn
Readability	Less readable	More readable

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between AsciiDoc and Markdown:

Best use cases	AsciiDoc	Markdown
Complex documentation	Yes	No
Technical writing	Yes	No
Books	Yes	No
Blog posts	No	Yes
Notes	No	Yes

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing between AsciiDoc and Markdown:

The size and complexity of the project: For large or complex projects, AsciiDoc may be a better choice due to its greater flexibility and ability to handle more complex structures. For smaller projects, Markdown may be a simpler and more manageable option.
The target audience: If the documentation is intended for a technical audience, AsciiDoc may be a better choice due to its ability to handle more complex markup. If the documentation is intended for a non-technical audience, Markdown may be a better choice due to its simpler and more readable syntax.
The availability of tools and support: Both AsciiDoc and Markdown have a variety of tools and libraries available, but AsciiDoc may have more mature and well-supported tools, particularly for generating PDF and other non-HTML formats.
Ultimately, the best way to choose between AsciiDoc and Markdown is to experiment with both languages and see which one you prefer. There are many online resources that can help you learn both languages, and there are also many tools available to help you convert AsciiDoc documents to Markdown and vice versa.