Let's face it, we've all read countless blog posts about the importance of code comments. We know that they make our code more readable, and easier to understand and help others (or future versions of ourselves) navigate our code more easily. But let's be real, writing comments can be a real pain in the you-know-what.
First off, there's the dreaded "Comment block" at the top of every file, where you have to describe what the file does, who wrote it, when it was last updated, and why it exists in the first place. It's like filling out paperwork at the DMV, but with less chance of getting a new driver's license at the end of it.
Then there are the comments that you write as you're coding, trying to explain the logic behind a particularly gnarly piece of code. These are the comments that you'll probably forget you wrote a week later, and have to spend 10 minutes trying to decipher what you meant.
And let's not forget the comments that are just plain unnecessary. You know the ones I'm talking about, the ones that state the obvious: "This variable holds the value of x", or "This for loop iterates through the array." Thanks, Captain Obvious, we would have never figured that out without you.
But let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Comments can be a valuable tool when used correctly. Here are a few tips to help you write better comments:
Comment the Why, not the What: Instead of describing what the code does, explain why it's doing it. For example, instead of writing "This function sorts the array," write "This function sorts the array to make searching more efficient."
Keep it Short and Sweet: No one wants to read a novel when they're trying to understand your code. Keep your comments brief and to the point.
Use Comments Sparingly: Don't overdo it with the comments. If your code is well-organized and easy to read, you won't need as many comments.
In conclusion, code comments can be a bit of a pain, but they're a necessary evil. So next time you're tempted to skip the comments, just remember: you'll thank yourself later. Happy commenting! 😅