comment out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comment out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a computing term that is used to describe one of the actions you can perform in a programming language. You can use it when you want to temporarily remove a line of code from being executed without actually deleting it from the program. For example: "I decided to comment out the section of code that was causing errors in the program."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We aren't allowed to comment out loud or talk with our neighbors.

The New Yorker

print "\nabsolute target angular displacements:" print str(num_iters)+" iterations, "+str(jobs_completed)+" / "+str total_jobs)+" jobs completed" print "max iterations reached without completing all jobs" print "Have to choose either top>1 and iseeds=1 or top=1 and iseeds>1" # COMMENT OUT WHEN RUNNING SIM.PY !!!

Yale University

The comment function will end whenever the first ending tag is hit, so if there's already a multi-line comment inside the code you comment out, the comment will only last until the end of the original nested comment.

WikiHow

defer.add img); Use a text editor to edit the following file, open a terminal and enter the following command: defer.add img); Type/Copy/Paste: sudo gedit /etc/rsyslog.d/50-default.conf OR Type/Copy/Paste: sudo nano /etc/rsyslog.d/50-default.conf defer.add img); Comment out (delete the hash sign #) in front of the following lines so they look like as below.

WikiHow

Comment out abandoned attempts rather than erasing them.

Stanford University

You also need to comment out the UTL_CERT_INFO struct.

Stanford University

Find and comment out any lines for the services ftp, telnet, shell, login, and exec.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The code will work with protothreads 1_2 if you comment out the serial thread.

Cornell University

Once you work out a better answer, comment out your earlier attempt.

Stanford University

Find and comment out any lines for the services ftp and telnet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

P28 Comment: Out-Trumping by some old tabloid rivals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comment out" when you want to temporarily disable a block of code for debugging or testing purposes. It allows you to easily revert to the original code later.

Common error

Avoid permanently deleting code that might be useful later. Use "comment out" instead, allowing for easy restoration if needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comment out" functions primarily as a verb, specifically a phrasal verb, indicating an action performed on source code. It is used to temporarily disable a section of code, preventing it from being executed. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable term in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comment out" is a verb phrase used to temporarily disable sections of source code. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and acceptable usage. It is considered grammatically correct and finds its primary context in technical and programming-related discussions, particularly within academic settings, news & media, and wikis. It's a practical technique for debugging and testing code, allowing developers to revert changes easily. While not exclusively formal, it's more common in technical documentation and code explanations than casual conversation. Alternatives include "disable code" and "deactivate functionality".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remark out code

An older, less common term, but synonymous with "comment out".

disable code

Focuses on the action of deactivating code, emphasizing its inoperability.

deactivate functionality

Highlights the deactivation of a specific feature or function.

exclude from execution

Emphasizes the removal of code from the running process.

temporarily remove code

Indicates a temporary removal, implying the code might be reinstated later.

bypass a section of code

Focuses on skipping over a particular part of the code.

remove code segment

Indicates the action of removing a portion of code.

nullify code block

Highlights the act of rendering a section of code ineffective.

ignore code segment

Implies that the code is still present but is being disregarded.

exclude code from compilation

Focuses on preventing the code from being included in the compiled program.

FAQs

What does it mean to "comment out" code?

To "comment out" code means to disable it from being executed by enclosing it within comment delimiters in the programming language. This is typically done for debugging, testing, or temporarily removing functionality.

How do I "comment out" code in different programming languages?

The syntax varies. In Python, you use # for single-line comments. In C++, Java, and JavaScript, you can use // for single-line comments and /* ... */ for multi-line comments. Refer to the specific language's documentation for details.

What's the difference between deleting code and using "comment out"?

Deleting code permanently removes it. Using "comment out" keeps the code in the file but prevents it from running. This is useful for debugging and testing, allowing you to easily restore the code later.

Are there alternatives to using "comment out" for debugging?

Yes. Debuggers offer features such as breakpoints and stepping through code, which can provide more detailed insights without modifying the code itself. Alternatives for disabling features include using feature flags or configuration settings.