The proper use of comments is to compensate for our…
“The proper use of comments is to compensate for our failure to express ourself in code.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Comments should fill gaps where code is unclear, not replace clear expression.
In simple terms: Use comments to clarify, not compensate for bad code.
Key Takeaway
Write self‑explanatory code.
Themes
software engineering
code quality
communication
documentation
Mood
practical
instructional
Type
educational
technical
When to use this quote
- code review
- pair programming
- training sessions
Key Concepts
technical debt
readability
maintainability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make code clearer without comments?
- When are comments truly necessary?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on comments can hide poor design.