Kotlin Comments

Comments in Kotlin are essential for code documentation and readability. They allow developers to explain their code, provide context, and leave notes for future reference. Kotlin supports three types of comments: single-line, multi-line, and documentation comments.

Single-line Comments

Single-line comments are used for brief explanations or notes. They start with two forward slashes (//) and continue until the end of the line.

// This is a single-line comment
val x = 5 // You can also add comments at the end of a line of code
    

Multi-line Comments

Multi-line comments are useful for longer explanations or temporarily disabling blocks of code. They start with /* and end with */.

/* This is a multi-line comment
   It can span across multiple lines
   and is useful for longer explanations */
val y = 10
    

Documentation Comments (KDoc)

Documentation comments, also known as KDoc, are used to generate API documentation. They start with /** and end with */. KDoc supports Markdown syntax for formatting.

/**
 * Calculates the sum of two integers.
 *
 * @param a The first integer
 * @param b The second integer
 * @return The sum of a and b
 */
fun sum(a: Int, b: Int): Int {
    return a + b
}
    

Best Practices for Kotlin Comments

• Use comments to explain complex logic or algorithms
• Avoid redundant comments that merely restate the code
• Keep comments up-to-date when modifying code
• Use KDoc for public functions and classes to generate comprehensive documentation
• Write clear and concise comments that add value to the code

Related Concepts

To further enhance your Kotlin skills, explore these related topics:

• Kotlin Syntax
• Kotlin Function Basics
• Kotlin Classes

Understanding how to use comments effectively is crucial for writing maintainable and collaborative Kotlin code. By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you'll improve your ability to document your code clearly and efficiently.