What is the purpose of comments in programming?

Comments in programming serve the important function of allowing developers to add notes and explanations within the code. These notes can clarify complex code sections, describe the purpose of certain algorithms, or provide insight into why specific coding decisions were made. This practice is essential for enhancing code readability and maintainability, especially in collaborative environments where multiple developers might work on the same codebase.

The compiler ignores comments, meaning they do not affect the execution of the program or introduce any overhead. This allows developers to include helpful documentation without altering the code's functionality, making it easier for themselves and others to understand the code when revisiting it later.

In contrast, executing parts of the code, creating user interfaces, or optimizing code performance are tasks that directly influence how a program runs or appears to users. While these are crucial aspects of programming, they do not pertain to the role comments play in the development process. Comments specifically focus on communication and documentation rather than program execution or performance enhancements.