Comments in Code

Learning Objectives Define what a comment is in Python. Explain why comments are important for writing readable code. Identify the '#' symbol as the way to start a single-line comment. Write a single-line comment on its own line. Write a single-line comment at the end of a line of code. Use comments to temporarily disable a line of code, a technique called 'commenting out'. Differentiate between code that the computer runs and comments that the computer ignores. Ever written a secret note in the margin of your notebook that only you understand? 📝 What if you could write secret notes right inside your computer code? In this lesson, you will learn how to write special notes called 'comments' in your Python code. These notes are for humans to r...

TermDefinitionExample CommentA note written in the code for humans to read. The computer's interpreter completely ignores comments.# This line is a comment. The computer will skip it. SyntaxThe set of rules for how a programming language is written. The syntax for a Python comment is to start it with a '#' symbol.The correct syntax is `# This is a comment`, not `This is a comment`. InterpreterThe program that reads your Python code line by line and runs it. The interpreter is trained to ignore any line that starts with a '#' symbol.When the interpreter sees `print('Hello')`, it runs it. When it sees `# Say hello`, it does nothing. ReadabilityHow easy it is for a human to read and understand computer code. Good comments make code much more readable.Code w...

The Hashtag Rule # This is a comment In Python, any text on a line that follows a hashtag symbol (#) is a comment. The computer will ignore the hashtag and everything after it on that line. The 'Commenting Out' Technique # code_that_should_not_run() To temporarily stop a line of code from working without deleting it, place a hashtag (#) at the very beginning of the line. This turns the entire line into a comment.