Statement vs. Comments — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Statements are instructions executed by a program, while comments are annotations in code meant for human readers, not executed.
Difference Between Statement and Comments
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
In programming, a statement is an instruction that the computer is meant to execute. These can be simple commands like assigning a value to a variable, or more complex instructions involving control flow, such as loops and conditionals. For example, the Python statement x = 5 assigns the value 5 to the variable x. Comments, on the other hand, are notes or annotations within the code that are ignored by the compiler or interpreter. They are meant for developers to write notes, explanations, or reminders within the code. In Python, a comment is created using the # symbol, followed by the text of the comment, like # This is a comment.
While statements directly affect how a program behaves by instructing the computer to perform specific operations, comments have no impact on the program's functionality. They are purely informational and are used to make the code more understandable to humans.
Comments can be especially helpful in complex sections of code, where the purpose or logic behind certain statements might not be immediately clear. They can explain what a section of code is meant to do, why a particular approach was chosen, or what a complex algorithm is achieving.
In contrast, statements are the building blocks of a program, defining its logic and capabilities. Without statements, a program would not perform any operations or produce any output. However, without comments, a program might become difficult to understand or maintain, especially as it grows in size and complexity.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To instruct the computer to perform an operation
To provide explanations or notes within the code for readers
ADVERTISEMENT
Execution
Executed by the computer as part of the program
Ignored by the compiler/interpreter; not executed
Syntax
Depends on the programming language's rules
Often starts with a specific symbol (e.g., #, //, /* */)
Impact on Code
Directly affects the program's behavior and output
No direct impact on the program’s functionality
Use Cases
Defining variables, control flow, and program logic
Documenting the purpose of code, explaining logic, leaving reminders
Compare with Definitions
Statement
An instruction in a program that the computer executes.
Print(Hello, World!) is a statement that displays text.
Comments
Provides a way to include legal or license information.
# Copyright 2024 by XYZ Corporation.
Statement
Can involve operations like assignments or function calls.
Sum = a + b adds two numbers.
Comments
Annotations in the code for developers, not executed.
# This function calculates the sum explains a function's purpose.
Statement
Essential for controlling the flow of a program.
If temperature > 30: changes program behavior based on a condition.
Comments
Can be used to temporarily disable code.
# print(This won't print) prevents execution.
Statement
May include loop constructs for iteration.
For i in range(5): repeats a block of code.
Comments
Helps in making code more readable and maintainable.
# TODO: Add error handling marks future tasks.
Statement
Directly determines the actions performed by a program.
User_input = input(Enter your name: ) takes user input.
Comments
Often used to document the logic behind complex algorithms.
# Using Dijkstra's algorithm for shortest path.
Statement
The act of stating or declaring
The attorney's statement took an hour.
Comments
Comment a word or paragraph that is either good or bad depending on the circumstances. They are usually left on the end of particular pieces of information, work, actions etc.
Statement
Something stated; a declaration
The witness made many false statements.
Comments
A written note intended as an explanation, illustration, or criticism of a passage in a book or other writing; an annotation.
Statement
A formal oral or written declaration, especially with regard to facts or claims
In a statement, the firm denied any wrongdoing.
Comments
A series of annotations or explanations.
Statement
An abstract of a commercial or financial account showing an amount due; a bill.
Comments
A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude.
Statement
A monthly report sent to a debtor or bank depositor.
Comments
An implied conclusion or judgment
A novel that is a comment on contemporary lawlessness.
Statement
(Computers) An elementary instruction in a programming language.
Comments
Talk; gossip
A divorce that caused much comment.
Statement
An overall impression or mood intended to be communicated, especially by means other than words
Glass, exposed beams, and antiques created a strong decorative statement.
Comments
(Computers) A string of text in a program that does not function in the program itself but is used by the programmer to explain instructions.
Statement
Having a striking appearance, often because of large size, unusual design, or extensive ornamentation
A statement necklace.
Statement furniture.
Comments
(Linguistics) The part of a sentence that provides new information about the topic. Also called rheme.
Statement
A declaration or remark.
Make a statement
Publish a statement
Utter a statement
Comments
To make a comment; remark.
Statement
A presentation of opinion or position.
Comments
To serve as a judgmental commentary
"Her demise comments on [the Upper East Side's] entire way of life" (Mark Muro).
Statement
(finance) A document that summarizes financial activity.
A bank statement
Comments
To make comments on; annotate.
Statement
(computing) An instruction in a computer program, especially one that returns no value, as opposed to a function call.
Comments
Plural of comment
Statement
(transitive) To provide an official document of a proposition, especially in the UK a Statement of Special Educational Needs.
Statement
The act of stating, reciting, or presenting, orally or on paper; as, to interrupt a speaker in the statement of his case.
Statement
That which is stated; a formal embodiment in language of facts or opinions; a narrative; a recital.
Statement
A message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc;
According to his statement he was in London on that day
Statement
A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true;
It was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true
Statement
(music) the presentation of a musical theme;
The initial statement of the sonata
Statement
A nonverbal message;
A Cadillac makes a statement about who you are
His tantrums are a statement of his need for attention
Statement
The act of affirming or asserting or stating something
Statement
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Statement
A document showing credits and debits
Common Curiosities
How do comments benefit code maintenance?
Comments make code easier to understand and maintain by providing explanations, clarifications, and documentation, which is especially helpful when revisiting or sharing code.
What are comments used for in programming?
Comments are used to include notes, explanations, or documentation within the code, intended for people reading the code, not for execution.
What is a programming statement?
A programming statement is an instruction written in a programming language that tells the computer to perform a specific action.
Can a program consist only of comments?
While technically possible, a program consisting only of comments would not perform any actions or produce any output.
Can a comment affect the execution of a program?
No, comments are ignored by the compiler or interpreter and do not affect the execution of the program.
Why are statements important in a program?
Statements are crucial because they define the instructions that the computer follows to perform tasks, making up the logic and functionality of the program.
How do you write a comment in Python?
In Python, a comment is written by prefixing the comment text with the # symbol, e.g., # This is a comment.
Is it possible to execute a statement that's commented out?
No, once a statement is commented out, it is ignored during execution and will not be run by the computer.
Do all programming languages use the same syntax for comments?
No, the syntax for writing comments varies between programming languages, though the concept is universal.
What happens if you remove all comments from a program?
Removing all comments would not affect the program's functionality, but it might make the code harder to understand and maintain.
How should comments be used effectively?
Comments should be clear, concise, and relevant, explaining why certain decisions were made or what a section of code is intended to do, without stating the obvious.
Why might a developer choose to comment out a piece of code?
Developers might comment out code temporarily to disable it during testing or debugging, without deleting the code.
How can comments improve the readability of a program?
Comments can explain the purpose of code segments, outline steps of complex algorithms, and provide context, making the program easier to follow.
Are there different types of comments in programming languages?
Yes, many languages support single-line comments (for brief notes) and multi-line or block comments (for longer explanations).
Can comments be automatically generated?
Some tools and IDEs can generate template comments for documentation, but insightful comments usually require manual input.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
System vs. Method
Next Comparison
Teller vs. CashierAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
