Mastering PHP Block Comments
PHP block comments are useful for writing multi-line explanations, temporarily disabling code, and generating documentation. They should not be nested or left unclosed. Block comments help in documenting functions with PHPDoc, which tools like PhpStorm use for auto-completion and error checking. Common pitfalls include nesting block comments, forgetting to close them, and overusing them for temporary changes. Teams should agree on formatting rules for consistency. Deleting old commented-out code is better than leaving it cluttered. Proper usage of block comments improves code readability and maintainability.
PHP block comments are one of those tools that seem simple on the surface but can make a big difference in how readable and maintainable your code is. They’re not just for hiding code temporarily — they’re also great for writing multi-line explanations, documenting complex logic, or even generating documentation with tools like PHPDoc.

When to Use Block Comments
Block comments (/* ... */
) are best when you need to write something longer than a single line. Unlike inline comments (//
), which are perfect for quick notes, block comments let you spread out a bit.
- If you're explaining a tricky algorithm or a business rule that spans multiple steps
- When you want to temporarily disable a chunk of code during testing
- For writing headers at the top of files that describe what the file does
A common example is commenting out a function while debugging:

/* function maybeBrokenFunction() { // some logic here } */
Just be careful not to nest them — /* inside /* another */ comment */
won’t work as expected.
How Block Comments Help with Documentation
If you use PHPDoc (which many IDEs and tools rely on), block comments become part of your workflow. You’ll often see them right above functions, classes, or constants.

For instance:
/** * Calculates total price after applying discounts. * * @param float $basePrice * @param array $discounts * @return float */ function calculateFinalPrice($basePrice, $discounts) { // ... }
This kind of commenting isn’t just for humans — tools like PhpStorm or PHPStan can parse this info and give better auto-completion or error checking. So it’s worth taking a few extra seconds to format these properly.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Even though block comments are straightforward, there are a couple of gotchas people run into:
- Nesting doesn't work — As mentioned earlier, trying to nest block comments will break your code. It's easy to forget when scanning through someone else’s code.
-
Forgetting to close them — This one’s classic. An open
/*
without a matching*/
can cause syntax errors that might take a minute to track down. - Overusing them for temporary changes — Sure, it’s handy to comment out a few lines, but if you leave old commented-out code lying around, it clutters things up. If it's not coming back soon, delete it.
Also, if you're working in a team, make sure everyone understands the preferred style. Some teams prefer certain indentation or formatting rules inside block comments, especially for documentation.
That’s basically all there is to using PHP block comments effectively. They’re simple, useful, and can save time both for you and anyone else reading your code later. Just keep an eye on nesting and closing tags, and don’t let old test comments pile up.
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