Explaining Single Line PHP Comments

PHP, like many other programming languages, provides its users with a way to insert comments into their code. Comments can be used to leave notes about the functionality of particular parts of the code, or to temporarily disable certain parts of the code.

In PHP, there are multiple ways to start a single line comment. This includes using either // or #.

Using // to start a PHP Comment

The // syntax is one of the ways provided by PHP to start a single line comment. Everything following // on the same line will be treated as a comment by the PHP interpreter. Here is an example of how it can be used.

// This is a single-line comment
echo "This is a php line"; // This is also a comment

In the above example, the first line is a comment and the second line has a comment after the actual php code. Any text after // on the same line is ignored by the PHP interpreter.

Using # to start a PHP Comment

Another valid way to start a single line comment in PHP is by using the #. As with the //, everything following "#" on the same line will be treated as a comment. Here is how you can use it.

# This is a single-line comment
echo "This line is not a comment"; # This part is a comment

Best Practices for using PHP Comments

Comments in PHP are vital for improving code readability and maintenance. Here are some best practices for using PHP comments:

• Keep your comments concise and relevant to the code.
• Use comments to explain the purpose and functionality of your code, not just what the code is doing.
• Comments can also be used to leave "To Do" notes.
• It's generally recommended to use comments to explain complex or non-intuitive parts of the code.

In conclusion, single line comments in PHP are started with either // or #, and are an essential part of writing quality, maintainable code.