Python tutorial: python comments

Unlock the secrets of writing well-documented python code! this tutorial dives deep into python comments, your key to boosting code readability and maintainability. learn how to effectively explain your code's purpose, improving collaboration and future understanding. whether you're a beginner or a seasoned programmer, this guide empowers you to write crystal-clear python!


Comments can be used to explain Python code.
Comments can be used to make the code more readable.
Comments can be used to prevent execution when testing code.

Why Comments Matter

  • Crystal Clear Code: 
Comments act as explanatory notes, making your code understandable not just to others, but also to your future self. When you revisit your code months later, comments will jog your memory and save you debugging time.

  • Collaboration Made Easy: 
Working on projects with others? Comments bridge the gap, explaining your thought process and the purpose of specific code sections. This fosters smoother teamwork and knowledge sharing.

  • Maintainability Magic: 
As your code evolves, comments become a roadmap for modifications. They guide future programmers, making it easier to understand the existing codebase and implement changes efficiently.

Creating a Comment

Comments starts with a #, and Python will ignore them:

Example
#This is a comment
print("Hello, World!")

Comments can be placed at the end of a line, and Python will ignore the rest of the line:

Example
print("Hello, World!") #This is a comment

A comment does not have to be text that explains the code, it can also be used to prevent Python from executing code:

Example
#print("Hello, World!")
print("Cheers, Mate!")

Multiline Comments

Python does not really have a syntax for multiline comments.

To add a multiline comment you could insert a # for each line:

Example
#This is a comment
#written in
#more than just one line
print("Hello, World!")

Or, not quite as intended, you can use a multiline string.

Since Python will ignore string literals that are not assigned to a variable, you can add a multiline string (triple quotes) in your code, and place your comment inside it:

Example
"""
This is a comment
written in
more than just one line
"""
print("Hello, World!")

As long as the string is not assigned to a variable, Python will read the code, but then ignore it, and you have made a multiline comment.

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