Re^9: Programming *is* much more than "just writing code".

[doom]

The purpose of the node was to point out that commenting is a double edged sword, with definite costs and ethereal benefits.

The benefits are only as ethereal as any attempt at communication, and the programmer that doesn't understand that the source code is an attempt at communicating with human beings (as well as with a compiler), has some problems as a programmer.

And I think you continue to exaggerate the costs. I don't think I've ever been confused by an out-of-date comment for any length of time... as I've said before, the fact that the comment is out-of-date can itself be an interesting hint about what's been going on.

On the other hand, I've definitely been confused by devotees of "self-documenting" code: that's a philosophy that has a definite cost if you ask me.