What are Comments in CSS?

Comments are used in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to add clarifications or reminders to the code that the browser ignores when rendering the webpage. Comments can be used to explain your CSS code, give other developers or yourself context, and temporarily turn off specific pieces of code without completely removing them.

CSS comments are written between /* and */. Here's an example:

Comments may appear on one line or several lines:

Anywhere in the CSS code, such as selectors, property declarations, or blocks, can contain comments:

As was already mentioned, comments are ignored by the browser and have no impact on how the webpage is rendered. They are only present for code organization and human readability. Use comments to clarify complicated sections, explain the reasoning behind specific CSS rules, or give instructions for upcoming changes.

NOTE: Comments are still visible to anyone who looks at the page's source code. Therefore, refrain from including delicate or private information in comments.

Why We Use Comments in CSS?

There are several uses for CSS comments, such as:

• Documentation: CSS comments are used to provide documentation. They let you explain why certain styles are used, give instructions or notes to other programmers who might work on the codebase, or even remind yourself of specific ideas or sections of the code. Your CSS code is easier to read and maintain when comments are used.
• Code temporary disablement: CSS code can be temporarily disabled without being removed by using comments. This can be useful when isolating specific CSS components to test different styling options or troubleshoot a problem. Comment on it to see how the code affects the webpage without removing it.
• Collaboration: Comments help developers work together. When working in a group, comments can be used to share thoughts, offer suggestions, or discuss specific CSS code segments. They facilitate team members' ability to comprehend and evaluate one another's work.
• Future reference: When you revisit the code in the future, comments help you remember the goal or justification behind particular styles. They give context, which can help you make adjustments or troubleshoot and save you time.
• Organization and readability: You can use comments to break up your CSS code into logical sections or to emphasize critical passages. They make your CSS code more readable and well-organized, making it easier to navigate and understand.

Your CSS code will be easier to read, maintain, and collaborate on if you use comments effectively. They are a crucial organization and documentation tool for code.

Disadvantages of CSS Comments

While CSS comments have many benefits, but it also has several drawbacks, such as:

• Code Bloat: Extra or unnecessary comments can increase the size of your CSS code's file. Modern network speeds may not be significantly affected, but they can still result in slower loading times, especially for large CSS files.
• Outdated Comments: As code develops and changes over time, comments may become dated or cease to accurately describe the state of the code as it stands today. Outdated comments can be deceptive and cause confusion or erroneous assumptions when working with the codebase.
• Maintenance Costs: Maintaining comments takes time and effort. Developers must ensure that comments are current and pertinent when making code changes.
• Potential code clutter: Organizing or excessive comments may cause the code to become cluttered, making it more difficult to read and comprehend. It can be difficult to separate important information from noise if comments are poorly structured or formatted or have too many unneeded comments.
• Code Duplication: When self-evident code is explained in comments, it can lead to unnecessary duplication and lessen the code's conciseness. Ideally, comments should offer extra information or justifications that must be more evident from the code.