Two relevant points here: 1. My comment assumes the code itself is well-written and clear. If it is, the plain English explanation will be superfluous, and yo

Two relevant points here: 1. My comment assumes the code itself is well-written and clear. If it is, the plain English explanation will be superfluous, and you'll be able to understand the code just as fast. If it's not, then the comment was the wrong solution to a real problem. The correct solution is to rewrite the code. 2. What counts as "well-written code you can understand instantly" is of course experience-dependent. And not just "years of experience" dependent, but primarily "familiarity with the paradigm and style of coding experience" dependent. Steve Yegge talks about over-commenting by junior developers here: http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2008/02/portrait-of-n00b.html http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2008/02/portrait-of-n00b.htm... I don't include that to be insulting, but because it tracks with my own experience as well.