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What does "explain" mean in programming?
explain is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To describe something clearly so that another person can understand it. Developers explain their decisions in code comments, pull request descriptions, and design documents.
Example
"Explain why you chose this approach in the pull request description."
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| explain | verb (infinitive) | To describe something clearly so that another person can understand it | "Explain the architecture to the new team member." |
| explained | past tense | Already described clearly | "I explained the issue in the pull request description." |
| explaining | gerund | In the process of describing something clearly | "Explaining your reasoning in code reviews helps junior developers learn." |
Related terms
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