In the realm of software development, comments play a vital role in enhancing code readability and maintainability. They serve as annotations that explain the purpose, logic, and functionality of the code, making it easier for developers to understand and modify it. However, excessive commenting can lead to a myriad of problems, hindering rather than aiding code comprehension.

The Pitfalls of Over-Commenting

Over-commenting can be detrimental to code quality and collaboration. Here's why:

• Increased Maintenance Overhead: Excessive comments can create a significant burden during code maintenance. When code is updated or refactored, comments need to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. This can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially if comments are lengthy or poorly written.
• Redundancy and Noise: Over-commenting can lead to redundancy, where comments simply reiterate the obvious. For example, commenting "This function adds two numbers" on a function named addNumbers is unnecessary and adds noise to the code.
• Reduced Code Readability: A plethora of comments can obscure the actual code, making it harder to grasp the flow and logic. Instead of providing clarity, excessive comments can create visual clutter and hinder comprehension.
• Outdated Comments: Comments can easily become outdated when code is modified. Unmaintained comments can mislead developers, leading to errors and misunderstandings.

The Power of Concise and Informative Comments

Instead of overwhelming the code with excessive comments, focus on writing concise and informative ones that add value. Here are some key principles to follow:

• Comment Only What's Necessary: Avoid commenting on self-explanatory code. Focus on explaining complex logic, non-obvious decisions, or potential pitfalls.
• Use Clear and Concise Language: Strive for clarity and brevity in your comments. Use plain language and avoid jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to everyone.
• Focus on Intent and Purpose: Comments should explain why the code does what it does, not just how it does it. Highlight the underlying purpose and the intended behavior.
• Keep Comments Up-to-Date: Regularly review and update comments as code changes. Ensure comments accurately reflect the current state of the code.

Examples of Effective Comments

1. Explaining Complex Logic:

// Calculate the average of the given list of numbers, handling potential division by zero errors.
public double calculateAverage(List<Double> numbers) {
  if (numbers.isEmpty()) {
    return 0.0;  // Return 0.0 if the list is empty to avoid division by zero.
  } else {
    double sum = 0.0;
    for (double number : numbers) {
      sum += number;
    }
    return sum / numbers.size();
  }
}

2. Highlighting Non-Obvious Decisions:

# Use a custom hashing algorithm for security reasons.
def hashPassword(password):
  # ... hashing logic ...

3. Documenting Potential Pitfalls:

// This function assumes that the input string is valid JSON.
// If the input is invalid, it will throw an error.
function parseJSON(jsonString) {
  // ... JSON parsing logic ...
}

Conclusion

Comments are a valuable tool for improving code readability and collaboration. However, excessive commenting can lead to problems such as increased maintenance overhead, redundancy, and reduced code readability. By focusing on concise and informative comments that explain complex logic, non-obvious decisions, and potential pitfalls, developers can ensure that comments enhance, rather than hinder, code comprehension. Remember, the goal is to strike a balance between providing sufficient context and avoiding unnecessary verbosity.

Further Reading: https://www.google.com/search?q=code+commenting+best+practices