Computer Science – Programming concepts | e-Consult

Using comments and consistent naming conventions is crucial for creating maintainable programs. Comments provide explanations of the code's purpose, logic, and assumptions. This helps both the original programmer and others understand the code's intent, especially when it's complex or not immediately obvious. Without comments, code can become difficult to decipher, leading to errors during modification.

Consistent naming conventions (e.g., using descriptive variable names, following a specific case style like snakecase or CamelCase) significantly improve readability. Well-chosen names make it easier to understand what a variable or function does without having to analyze the entire code. This reduces cognitive load and makes debugging and maintenance much faster. For example, using 'numstudents' instead of 'n' makes the code self-documenting.

For other programmers, clear comments and consistent naming are essential for collaboration. They allow others to quickly grasp the code's functionality and make changes with confidence, reducing the risk of introducing errors. It also makes it easier to onboard new team members.