What is the purpose of comments in code?

Comments in code serve several important purposes, and one of their primary functions is to explain the code and make it understandable for humans. When programmers write comments, they provide context and insights into what a particular section of code is doing, why certain decisions were made, and how to use specific functions or variables. This is essential because code can often be complex and may not be self-explanatory at first glance. By including clear comments, developers facilitate better collaboration, making it easier for others (or even the original author at a later date) to read, maintain, and modify the codebase.

While documenting reasons for code decisions is also a valuable aspect of comments, the overarching role is to enhance understanding, which is best encapsulated in explaining the code itself. This understanding is crucial as it aids in debugging and future development. Other options, such as speeding up execution or creating additional functions, are not functions of comments and do not hold true within the context of coding practices.