Python Multiline Comments: A Comprehensive Guide

Multiline comments, also known as block comments, allow you to write multiple lines of comments in your code. This can be particularly useful when you want to leave extensive notes or explanations about your code. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Python’s multiline comments and how you can use them effectively in your own code.

How to Write Multiline Comments in Python

In Python, you can create a multiline comment by using triple quotation marks ("""). Anything you write between these triple quotes will be treated as a comment. For example:

"""
This is a multiline comment.
It can span multiple lines.
"""
Code language: Python (python)

You can also use single quotation marks (''') to create a multiline comment. However, you cannot use a combination of single and double quotation marks (e.g., """ or ''').

Best Practices for Using Multiline Comments

There are a few best practices you should follow when using multiline comments in Python:

• Keep your comments concise and to the point. Multiline comments should be used for explaining complex or important parts of your code, not for writing lengthy descriptions.
• Use bullet points or numbered lists to break up your comments and make them easier to read.
• Make sure your comments are aligned with your code. This will make your code easier to read and understand.
• Avoid using multiline comments for simple or self-explanatory pieces of code. Single-line comments (#) are usually sufficient for these cases.

Examples of Multiline Comments in Action

Here are a few examples of how you can use multiline comments in your Python code:

• To explain the purpose of a function:

def calculate_area(length, width):
    """
    Calculates the area of a rectangle.
    
    Parameters:
    - length: The length of the rectangle (in meters).
    - width: The width of the rectangle (in meters).
    
    Returns:
    The area of the rectangle (in square meters).
    """
    return length * width
Code language: Python (python)

• To document a class:

class Point:
    """
    Represents a point in 2D space.
    
    Attributes:
    - x: The x-coordinate of the point.
    - y: The y-coordinate of the point.
    """
    
    def __init__(self, x, y):
        self.x = x
        self.y = y
Code language: Python (python)

• To leave notes or reminders for yourself or other developers:

# TODO: Add error handling

"""
NOTE: This code is still a work in progress.
Do not use in production.
"""
Code language: Python (python)

Conclusion

Multiline comments are a powerful tool for adding explanations and documentation to your Python code. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can use them effectively to make your code more readable and maintainable.

References

• Python documentation – Comments
• PEP 257 – Docstring Conventions