Effective file-level commenting is an art that elevates your code from functional to comprehensible. Whether you are a seasoned developer or a rookie, incorporating these practices will not only make your code more understandable but also foster a collaborative coding environment. When it comes to coding, clarity is key. Both when using someone else’s code and sharing your own, effective communication is essential. File-level commenting is a powerful tool that aids not only in understanding your code but also in creating a seamless collaborative environment.
the world of file-level comments by exploring a traditional yet effective way of commenting. We’ll be using JavaScript for illustration, but the principles discussed can be applied across various programming languages.
In JavaScript, a comment block is typically denoted by the opening and closing of a multi-line comment.
/**
* Your comments go here
*/
This block provides a canvas for detailed explanations and documentation. To make the commenting process even more structured and insightful, we can introduce tags. In Visual Studio Code (VSCode), prefixing a comment block with “@” prompts the editor to suggest relevant tags for documentation.
Syntax Styling
Before delving into tags, let’s explore some styling options within the comment block using Markdown-like syntax:
Headings
#
for H1##
for H2###
for H3####
for H4
Text Styles
**your text**
for bold*your text*
for italic~~your text~~
for strikethroughsome text [link](https://google.com)
for adding a link- list item
for creating a list![image](image-url.png)
for adding an image> some text
for creating a quote
Code
To include code in your comment block with syntax highlighting.
if (isAwesome){
return true
}
Table
To add a table block.
First Header | Second Header
------------ | -------------
Content from cell 1 | Content from cell 2
Content in the first column | Content in the second column
These Markdown-like tags enhance the visual appeal and structure of your comments.
Useful Tags
Now, let’s explore some handy tags that add functionality to our comments:
@param
Use @param
to provide information about the parameters a function requires.
@param {string} queryString - A string value needed to query
@returns
Use @returns
to specify what the method is returning.
@returns {boolean} - Whatever the method is returning
@link
Attach any internal/external link to your comment easily.
{@link file#makePublic} - Enable access to this method
@example
Auto-style code with @example
.
@example
readFile((chunk) => {
// do other processing for chunks
console.log(chunk)
})
.then((data) => {
// final processing of content
console.log(data)
})
.catch((e) => console.log({ e }));
Other Handy Options
@class
@private
@const
@see
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