2 5 Comments Explained

Key Concepts

Comments in Python are non-executable lines of code that are used to explain or document the code. They are ignored by the Python interpreter. The key concepts related to comments include:

• Single-line Comments
• Multi-line Comments
• Docstrings

1. Single-line Comments

Single-line comments are used to add brief explanations or notes within a single line of code. They start with the hash symbol (#) and continue until the end of the line.

Example:

# This is a single-line comment
x = 10  # This comment explains the assignment
    

Think of single-line comments as sticky notes that you attach to specific lines of code to provide quick explanations.

2. Multi-line Comments

Multi-line comments are used to add longer explanations or notes that span multiple lines. In Python, multi-line comments are typically created by using multiple single-line comments.

Example:

# This is a multi-line comment
# It spans multiple lines
# and provides more detailed information
    

Alternatively, you can use triple quotes (""" or ''') to create multi-line comments, although they are technically docstrings.

Example:

"""
This is a multi-line comment
created using triple quotes.
It can span multiple lines.
"""
    

Think of multi-line comments as a memo that you write to provide a more comprehensive explanation of a block of code.

3. Docstrings

Docstrings are special comments used to document modules, classes, functions, and methods. They are enclosed in triple quotes (""" or ''') and are the first statement in a module, function, class, or method definition.

Example:

def add(a, b):
    """
    This function adds two numbers and returns the result.
    
    Parameters:
    a (int): The first number.
    b (int): The second number.
    
    Returns:
    int: The sum of the two numbers.
    """
    return a + b
    

Think of docstrings as a user manual for your code. They provide detailed information about how to use the code and what it does.

Conclusion

Understanding and using comments effectively is crucial for writing clear, maintainable, and collaborative Python code. By mastering single-line comments, multi-line comments, and docstrings, you can enhance the readability and documentation of your code, making it easier for others (and yourself) to understand and work with.