comments in c programming language
C & C++introduces a new comment symbol // (double slash). Comments start with a double slash symbol and terminate at the end of the line. A comment may start anywhere in the line and whatever follows till the end the line is ignored. Note that there is no closing symbol.
In C programming, comments are annotations within the source code that are ignored by the compiler but serve the purpose of providing human-readable explanations and documentation. Comments are crucial for improving code readability, aiding in program understanding, and facilitating collaboration among developers. There are two primary types of comments in C:
Single-Line Comments:
- Single-line comments begin with
//and extend to the end of the line. They are ideal for adding brief explanations or notes on a single line of code.
Multi-Line Comments:
- Multi-line comments start with
/*and end with*/. They can span multiple lines, allowing for more extensive commentary or explanations.
The double slash comment is basically a single line comment and Multiline comments can be written as follows:
//This is an example of
//C program to illustrate
//some of its. features
The C comment symbols/*, */ are still valid and are more suitable for multiline comments. The following comment is allowed:
/* This is an example of C program to illustrate
Some of its features
*/
Comments are not only useful for clarifying code but also for temporarily excluding certain lines of code during testing or debugging. This practice is known as “commenting out” code. While comments enhance code readability, it’s essential to maintain them appropriately, keeping them up-to-date with any code changes to ensure accurate documentation. Well-commented code serves as a valuable resource for developers, especially in larger projects or when collaborating with a team.