What is the purpose of a code comment?

The purpose of a code comment is to provide notes that explain the code's function. Comments are crucial for improving code readability and maintainability. They allow developers to document their thought processes, explain the rationale behind certain coding decisions, and clarify complex sections of code. This is especially useful for anyone who may read the code later, including the original author, other team members, or future developers who need to understand the logic quickly. Effective comments help others—and your future self—to grasp what specific pieces of code do without deciphering every line of code, thus fostering better collaboration and understanding within programming projects.