how to comment in python?

Comments are completely ignored by the interpreter. They are meant for fellow programmers. For example,

Here, we have used the following comments,

In Python, there are two types of comments:

A single-line comment starts and ends in the same line. We use the # symbol to write a single-line comment. For example,

Output

Here, we have created two single-line comments:

We can also use the single-line comment along with the code.

Here, code before # are executed and code after # are ignored by the interpreter.

Python doesn't offer a separate way to write multiline comments. However, there are other ways to get around this issue.

We can use # at the beginning of each line of comment on multiple lines. For example,

Here, each line is treated as a single comment, and all of them are ignored.

Another way of doing this is to use triple quotes, either ''' or """.

These triple quotes are generally used for multi-line strings. But if we do not assign it to any variable or function, we can use it as a comment.

The interpreter ignores the string that is not assigned to any variable or function.

Let's see an example,

Here, the multiline string isn't assigned to any variable, so it is ignored by the interpreter. Even though it is not technically a multiline comment, it can be used as one.

1. Make Code Easier to Understand

If we write comments in our code, it will be easier for future reference.

Also, it will be easier for other developers to understand the code.

2. Using Comments for Debugging

If we get an error while running the program, we can comment the line of code that causes the error instead of removing it. For example,

To comment out multiple lines in Python, you can use triple quotes (”’ ”’ or “”” “””) for block comments, or add a hash sign (#) at the beginning of each line for single-line comments.

When you add explanations for tricky parts or offer context for particular functions, it becomes much simpler for other developers to understand what’s going on.

Additionally, comments serve as a handy form of documentation, which means that new team members or future programmers can get up to speed quickly without having to spend ages figuring out the code. In short, by using comments, you’ll make the whole development process smoother and ensure that your code remains user-friendly, easy to maintain, and adaptable as time goes on.

Before we dive into the details of multi-line commenting in Python, let’s first understand what single-line and multi-line comments are.

Single-line comments: Single-line comments begin with a hash symbol (#) and extend to the end of the line. The Python interpreter ignores everything that comes after the hash symbol (#) on that line. The comments are generally used for brief explanations or notes about the code.

The following is an example of a single-line comment:

Multiple line comments: Multiple line comments, also known as multi-line comments or block comments, are a way to comment out a block of code or add descriptive text spanning multiple lines in Python.

While Python does not have a specific syntax for multiline comments, developers use triple quotes (either single (”’ ”’) or double (“”” “””)) to create multiline strings, which the interpreter ignores during execution.

This technique effectively serves as a multi-line comment.

The following is an example of a multiline comment in Python:

Fortunately, there are a few different ways to comment out a multi-line comment in Python, depending on your text editor or IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Here’s what you need to know.

One common way to comment out multi-line comments in Python is to use the hash symbol (#) to comment out each line individually. This approach can be time-consuming if you have many lines of code to comment out, but it works in any text editor or IDE.

Another option is to use a keyboard shortcut to comment on multiple lines at once. This can be faster and more convenient, especially if you need to comment out large sections of code.

Let’s discuss in detail how to use the hash symbol and keyboard shortcut to make multiline comments in Python!

As mentioned, if you want to comment out multiple lines in Python, you can use the # symbol to turn them into single-line comments. Simply place a hash character (#) at the beginning of each line you want to comment out. This will tell Python to ignore those lines when it runs your code.

The following is an example of how to comment out multiple single-line comments in Python using the hash character(#):

Understanding how to comment out multiple lines in Python can significantly improve your programming experience.

In the given example, the first three lines are commented out using single-line comments by placing the # symbol at the beginning of each line. When executing this Python code, the interpreter ignores these lines and only runs the print statement.

However, using consecutive single-line comments can be tedious when dealing with numerous lines. For such cases, utilizing multi-line comments or employing a text editor or IDE with a shortcut for commenting out multiple lines at once is advisable.

In the section below, we will run through how to comment out multiple lines in Python using Triple quoted strings.

Let’s get into it!

Multiline comments are enclosed in triple quotes, either single (”’ ”’) or double (“”” “””), creating a multiline string that Python disregards. This approach effectively comments out multiple lines and makes it easier to manage extensive sections of code that require temporary disabling or explanations. This method is especially useful when you have to comment out code that already contains single-line comments.

To comment out multiple lines of code in Python using Triple quotes, you can follow the steps below:

The following example shows how to use triple quotes to comment out text that spans multiple lines:

When executing the above code with a multiline comment enclosed in triple quotes, no action will occur because the entire block of code is considered a multiline comment or multiline string, and the interpreter ignores it.

To uncomment the code, remove the triple quotes surrounding the block. It’s crucial to remember that using triple quotes for multiline comments or multiline strings can impact your code’s indentation. Always ensure you adjust the indentation accordingly to maintain readability and avoid errors in your code.

Overall, employing triple quotes for multi-line comments or multi-line strings to comment out multiple lines in Python is a convenient and efficient technique, saving time and effort. Whether you’re working with a singleline comment , consecutive singleline comments, or multiline comments, understanding how to comment out multiple lines in Python is essential for better code management.

Apart from the above two ways of commenting on multiple lines in Python, you can comment out lines using keyboard shortcuts within IDEs as well. In the section below, we’ll have a detailed discussion on how to comment out multiple lines using IDE’s with keyboard shortcuts.

Let’s get into it!

An Integrated Development Environment is a software application that offers a comprehensive set of tools and features to help programmers write, edit, debug, and compile code more efficiently.

Different IDE’s come with their own specified shortcuts that you can use to automatically comment out multiple lines of code in Python.

In this section, we will have a detailed look at how to comment out multiple lines of code in three of the most popular Integrated Development Environments; The VS Code, PyCharm and Sublime Text.

Let’s look into it!

Visual Studio Code, commonly referred to as VS Code, is a free, open-source, and lightweight source code editor developed by Microsoft. It is designed to work with multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, C++, and many others.

VS Code offers a range of features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, integrated terminal, version control, and support for extensions. Due to its flexibility, performance, and extensive features, VS Code has become a popular choice among developers worldwide for various programming tasks.

Visual Studio Code is a popular code editor that supports commenting out multiple lines of code.

Here’s how to use it:

Select the lines of code you want to comment out.

Press Ctrl + / on Windows or Command + / on Mac to toggle line comments.

Alternatively, you can press Shift + Alt + A to toggle block comments.

Now that you have an understanding of how to comment out multiple lines in VS Code, you can go ahead and use it in your Python program.

The section below shows how to comment out multiple lines in PyCharm.

Let’s get into it!

PyCharm is a popular Integrated Development Environment (IDE) developed by JetBrains specifically for Python development. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and features that streamline the development process and improve productivity.

PyCharm supports commenting out multiple lines of code. Commenting out multiple lines of code in PyCharm is similar to that in VS Code.

Here’s how to do it:

Sublime Text is a sophisticated and lightweight text editor designed for code, markup, and prose. It is known for its speed, ease of use, and flexibility, making it a popular choice among developers working with various programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and many others.

Sublime Text also supports commenting out multiple lines of code. Here’s how to do it:

Utilizing a code editor or an integrated development environment (IDE) like Visual Studio Code, PyCharm, or Sublime Text to comment out multiple lines of code in Python or other programming languages can be a significant time-saver and improve your overall development efficiency.

This straightforward and powerful approach allows developers to rapidly comment out or uncomment substantial blocks of code, bypassing the need to tediously add or remove comment symbols, such as single line comments (#) or multi-line comments (triple quotes), on every individual line.

Popular code editors often come with built-in features or keyboard shortcuts that make commenting out multiple lines, including consecutive single line comments or multiline comments, a breeze.

Furthermore, some editors provide third-party extensions or plugins that enhance this functionality, making it even easier to manage large sections of code that require temporary disabling or annotation.

By harnessing these tools and mastering the techniques of commenting out multiple lines using code editors, you can save a considerable amount of time and effort, ensuring a more enjoyable and efficient coding experience.

Commenting out multiple lines in Python helps with fixing bugs, explaining code, tracking changes, and testing.

Code explanation: Multiline comments allow developers to provide detailed explanations, descriptions, or documentation strings for specific sections of the code, enhancing readability and maintainability.

The code example shows how you can use miltiline or block comments in Python to explain your code:

Debugging: When debugging or troubleshooting, multi-line comments can be used to temporarily disable a block of code to identify and isolate issues without deleting the code.

The code example below shows how you can use multiline comments to debug your code:

Code organization: Multiline comments can be employed to separate different parts of the code, making it easier to understand the structure and organization of the program.

The code example below shows how you can use a multiline comment to organize your code.

Collaboration: Providing comprehensive comments within the code helps other developers comprehend the code’s purpose or functionality, fostering better collaboration and communication within the team.

The code example below shows how you can use multiline comments to enhance collaboration:

For a more detailed explanation of using comments and avoiding errors in your Python code, take a look at the video below.

Now that we’ve established that comments are an essential part of any Python code, let’s look at some of the best practices that will help you write better comments when coding.

As you know understand, multiline commenting in Python can improve the readability of your code and help explain complex logic, algorithms, or code blocks.

Here are some best practices for multi-line commenting in Python:

In conclusion, commenting out multiple lines in Python can be achieved through various methods, each with its own advantages.

Here’s a summary:

Additionally, utilizing keyboard shortcuts in text editors can save time and effort. Here are some common shortcuts:

You should choose the method that best suits your needs and project. Always prioritize keeping your code organized and easy to read for improved comprehension and maintainability.

Commenting out multiple lines in Python allows you to temporarily disable a block of code without deleting it. This is useful during testing, debugging, or when you want to keep code for future reference without executing it.

To comment out a single line of code in Python, use the hash symbol (#) at the beginning of the line. The interpreter will ignore everything after the hash symbol on that line.

You can comment out multiple lines in Python using either multiline strings (triple quotes) or by placing a hash symbol (#) at the beginning of each line you want to comment out.

Yes, you can use triple quotes to comment out a mixture of code and text in Python. The interpreter will treat everything between the opening and closing triple quotes as a single multiline string, effectively disabling the code within.

To uncomment multiple lines in Python, remove the triple quotes surrounding the commented block, or delete the hash symbols (#) at the beginning of each commented line.

No, comments do not affect the performance of your Python code. The interpreter ignores comments during code execution, so they have no impact on the speed or efficiency of your program.

Comments can be used to explain Python code.

Comments can be used to make the code more readable.

Comments can be used to prevent execution when testing code.

Comments starts with a #, and Python will ignore them:

Comments can be placed at the end of a line, and Python will ignore the rest of the line:

A comment does not have to be text that explains the code, it can also be used to prevent Python from executing code:

Python does not really have a syntax for multiline comments.

To add a multiline comment you could insert a # for each line:

Or, not quite as intended, you can use a multiline string.

Since Python will ignore string literals that are not assigned to a variable, you can add a multiline string (triple quotes) in your code, and place your comment inside it:

As long as the string is not assigned to a variable, Python will read the code, but then ignore it, and you have made a multiline comment.

Comments in Python are identified with a hash symbol, #, and extend to the end of the line. Hash characters in a string are not considered comments, however.