Comments Next to white space, the most important parts of any Java program are its comments. Inline comments: answer = 42; // valid independent of the input Block comments: /* ... This next bit of code is so obvious that I hesitated to comment it a first. But, rather than risk any point reduction in this otherwise flawless program, I have decided to add this block comment with a recipe for a Gremolata garnish: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley 1 minced clove of garlic ½ teaspoon of grated lemon rind Sprinkle this mixture on sauce, gravy, or computer programs during the last 5 minutes of preparation. */ question = "To be, or not to be".
	Lecture 2		Slide 6		6.837 Fall '98

Next to white space, the most important part of any Java program is comments. Keep in mind the syntax of a language is designed for communicating a program's design to a computer. Comments, on the other hand, are the primary mechanism for communicating a program's design to humans. Java has three types of comments.

Inline comments:

answer = 42; // valid independent of the input

    /*
	    ... This next bit of code is so obvious that I hesitated to
	    comment it a first. But, rather than risk any point reduction
	    in this otherwise flawless program, I have decided to add
	    this block comment with a recipe for a Gremolata garnish:

			2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley
			1 minced clove of garlic
			½ teaspoon of grated lemon rind

		Sprinkle this mixture on sauce, gravy, or computer
		programs during the last 5 minutes of preparation.
	*/
	question = "To be, or not to be".