What is the comments section for?

Question

It seems that some like to use the comments for a five word answer that when later is rebuked with a answer that is posted AS an answer, it gets deleted, like "what you want isn't possible." I think using a Magic 8 ball would give the same remark.

Or..there is some debating in the comments, and one of the users simply deletes all of his or her comments as noticed when the @user is used by the remaining comments. This leave a confused looking conversation that is more static than helpful commenting.

I thought the comments were to guide, get clarity, or otherwise enhance what the post or answer has, needs, or is lacking, etc..

If it appears as an answer, then post it as such and add the appropriate detail, no?

Answer 1

You're right, sometimes people post what they think is an answer in the comments (generally without doing research or checking their facts).

However, what comments should be used for is stated right in the placeholder text when adding a comment:

Transcript:

Use comments to ask for clarification or add more information. Avoid answering questions in comments.