Using pronouns improperly causes the cognitive equivalent of a null pointer error in your readers’ heads. In many cases, you should simply avoid the pronoun and just reuse the noun.

Consider the following pronoun guidelines:

• Only use a pronoun after you've introduced the noun; never use the pronoun before you've introduced the noun.
• Place the pronoun as close as possible to the referring noun. In general, if more than five words separate your noun from your pronoun, consider repeating the noun instead of using the pronoun.
• If you introduce a second noun between your noun and your pronoun, reuse your noun instead of using a pronoun.

It and they

The following pronouns cause the most confusion in technical documentation:

• It
• They, them, and their

For example, in the following sentence, does It refer to Python or to C++?

Python is interpreted, while C++ is compiled. It has an almost cult-like following.