What are the benefits and drawbacks of using comments in your code? (original) (raw)

Last updated on Aug 14, 2024

Comments are one of the most common and controversial elements of code. Some developers swear by them, others avoid them like the plague. But what are the benefits and drawbacks of using comments in your code? And how can you write comments that improve your code quality and readability, rather than clutter it and confuse it? In this article, we'll explore these questions and offer some tips and best practices for commenting your code.

When to comment your code?

The amount and frequency of commenting your code is not set in stone; it depends on various factors such as the complexity, readability, and style of your code, the expectations and conventions of your team or project, and the intended audience and use of your code. While there is no definitive answer, some general guidelines can be followed: comment your code when it is not obvious or self-explanatory what it does or why it does it; when it has a specific or unusual requirement, assumption, or limitation that needs to be stated explicitly; when it implements a complex algorithm, a clever hack, or a workaround for a bug or limitation; when it is likely to change, evolve, or be reused in the future; and when it is part of a public API, a library, or a framework that other developers will use or depend on.

The decision to comment on your code varies based on factors like complexity, readability, team standards, and code purpose. While there's no fixed rule, consider adding comments when code functionality isn't apparent, contains unique requirements, implements complex logic or workarounds, may undergo future changes, or is part of a shared codebase or public API. Adhering to these guidelines can enhance code understanding and maintenance.
When commenting your code, focus on quality and clarity over quantity and frequency. Follow these guidelines for effective commenting: Use a consistent format and syntax aligned with language conventions. Employ various comment types for different purposes, like inline comments for code explanations, function/method comments for behavior descriptions, and file/module comments for structural overviews. Keep comments concise, accurate, and relevant, avoiding unclear language or jargon. Regularly update comments to align with code changes and maintain accuracy. By adhering to these practices, you can ensure that your comments enhance code understanding and collaboration.
Comments should be used to explain complex logic, document code functionality, and provide context where necessary. They are valuable for clarifying intent, assisting with maintenance, and aiding collaboration. On the flip-side, over-commenting can clutter code and make it harder to read. Comments should not be used to state the obvious or reiterate what the code already expresses clearly. Excessive commenting on self-explanatory code or trivial details can often make the codebase harder to maintain.
While comments in code offer advantages, they also present drawbacks and constraints. Comments can clutter code, impeding readability, and may introduce errors or inconsistencies if not updated alongside code changes. Lengthy, frequent, or vague comments can be overlooked by developers. Furthermore, excessive comments may indicate underlying issues like code complexity or poor structure, signaling the need for refactoring or rewriting.
Comments require upkeep to remain accurate and can clutter code if overused. They may become outdated or misleading and poorly written comments can increase cognitive load and duplicate information, adding to confusion.

How to write self-documenting code?

Writing self-documenting code is a great way to reduce the need for comments. It requires using meaningful and consistent names for variables, functions, methods, classes, modules, and files. Additionally, it involves utilizing simple and consistent structures and patterns, as well as appropriate and consistent indentation, spacing, and formatting. Last but not least, comments should be used sparingly and strategically. By following these tips and best practices, you can effectively and efficiently use comments in your code review process while still keeping a balance with self-documenting code that speaks for itself.

To write self-documenting code effectively, focus on using clear and consistent naming conventions for variables, functions, classes, and files. Maintain simple and consistent structures, patterns, indentation, spacing, and formatting. Reserve comments for essential explanations and use them sparingly and strategically. By adopting these practices, you can strike a balance between self-documenting code and necessary comments, enhancing code readability and maintainability.

Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Code vs. Comments Mismatch: Comments are often neglected during refactoring, leading to discrepancies between the code and the comments. In a project where we implemented a fraud detection system, an outdated comment incorrectly described the purpose of a critical function. This led to a bug that was difficult to trace because developers relied on the comment rather than the code. Regular reviews to ensure comments accurately reflect the current state of the code are essential.

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