Comments in C++

Comments are used to add notes or explanations in your C++ program. They make your code easier to read and understand. Comments are ignored by the compiler, so they do not affect the output of your program.

Adding comments is a good habit, especially when you’re working on large programs or collaborating with other developers.

Single-Line Comment in C++

A single-line comment starts with two forward slashes (//). Everything written after // on the same line is treated as a comment.

Example

// This is a single-line comment

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    cout << "Hello, World!";
    return 0;
}

Multi-Line Comment in C++

If you want to write comments across multiple lines, use /* to begin the comment and */ to end it.

Example

/*
This is a multi-line comment.
It can span multiple lines.
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    cout << "Learning C++ Comments";
    return 0;
}

Why Use Comments?

Comments help you write cleaner and more understandable code. They are useful when you want to:

  • Explain what a section of code does.
  • Make complex logic easier to understand.
  • Leave notes for yourself or other developers.
  • Temporarily disable a line of code while testing.

Key Points

  • Comments are ignored by the compiler.
  • // is used for single-line comments.
  • /* ... */ is used for multi-line comments.
  • Use comments only where they add value.
  • Avoid writing unnecessary or obvious comments.

Written by Shubhranshu Shekhar, who has trained 20000+ students in coding.

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