What's the least useful comment you've eve

Question

We all know that commenting our code is an important part of coding style for making our code understandable to the next person who comes along, or even ourselves in 6 months or so.

However, sometimes a comment just doesn't cut the mustard. I'm not talking about obvious jokes or vented frustraton, I'm talking about comments that appear to be making an attempt at explanation, but do it so poorly they might as well not be there. Comments that are too short, are too cryptic, or are just plain wrong.

As a cautonary tale, could you share something you've seen that was really just that bad, and if it's not obvious, show the code it was referring to and point out what's wrong with it? What should have gone in there instead?

See also:

• When NOT to comment your code
• How do you like your comments? (Best Practices)
• What is the best comment in source code you have ever encountered?

Answer 1

This is an absolutely real example from a database trigger:

/******************************************************************************
   NAME:       (repeat the trigger name)
   PURPOSE:    To perform work as each row is inserted or updated.
   REVISIONS:
   Ver        Date        Author           Description
   ---------  ----------  ---------------  ------------------------------------
   1.0        27.6.2000             1. Created this trigger.
   PARAMETERS:
   INPUT:
   OUTPUT:
   RETURNED VALUE:
   CALLED BY:
   CALLS:
   EXAMPLE USE:
   ASSUMPTIONS:
   LIMITATIONS:
   ALGORITHM:
   NOTES:
******************************************************************************/

Answer 2

Something like this:

// This method takes two integer values and adds them together via the built-in
// .NET functionality. It would be possible to code the arithmetic function
// by hand, but since .NET provides it, that would be a waste of time
private int Add(int i, int j) // i is the first value, j is the second value
{
    // add the numbers together using the .NET "+" operator
    int z = i + j;

    // return the value to the calling function
    // return z;

    // this code was updated to simplify the return statement, eliminating the need
    // for a separate variable.
    // this statement performs the add functionality using the + operator on the two
    // parameter values, and then returns the result to the calling function
    return i + j;
}

And so on.

Answer 3

I just found this one, written on the line before a commented-out line of code:

//This causes a crash for some reason. I know the real reason but it doesn't fit on this line.

Answer 4

I saw this comment yesterday in a C# app:

//TODO: Remove this comment.

Answer 5

/** function header comments required to pass checkstyle */

Answer 6

//' OOOO oooo that smell!! Can't you smell that smell!??!??!!!!11!??/!!!!!1!!!!!!1

If Not Me.CurrentMenuItem.Parent Is Nothing Then
    For Each childMenuItem As MenuItem In aMenuItem.Children
        do something
    Next

    If Not Me.CurrentMenuItem.Parent.Parent Is Nothing Then
        //'item is at least a grand child
        For Each childMenuItem As MenuItem In aMenuItem.Children
            For Each grandchildMenuItem As MenuItem In childMenuItem.Children
                do something
            Next
        Next

        If Not Me.CurrentMenuItem.Parent.Parent.Parent Is Nothing Then
            //'item is at least a grand grand child
            For Each childMenuItem As MenuItem In aMenuItem.Children
                For Each grandchildMenuItem As MenuItem In childMenuItem.Children
                    For Each grandgrandchildMenuItem As MenuItem In grandchildMenuItem.Children
                        do something
                    Next
                Next
            Next

        End If
    End If
End If