How is a 'comment' valuable in programming code?

A comment is valuable in programming code because it provides explanations or descriptions for sections of the code, which helps other programmers (or the original programmer later on) understand what the code is intended to do. This clarity can be essential for collaboration, debugging, and maintaining the code over time.

While comments are part of the source code, they are ignored by the computer during execution, meaning that they do not affect how the program runs. This allows developers to give context and rationale for code without altering functionality or performance. As a result, comments enhance readability and maintainability, making it easier for others (or the original author) to navigate and comprehend the codebase.