How does the C preprocessor handle comments?

The C preprocessor is designed to process directives before the actual compilation of the code begins. One of its primary functions in this stage is to remove comments from the code. This means that any text in the source code that is marked as a comment—using either // for single-line comments or /*...*/ for multi-line comments—will be entirely omitted from the code before subsequent compilation steps take place.

Removing comments is beneficial for several reasons. It helps streamline the code that is sent to the compiler, leading to less clutter and potentially allowing the compiler to function more efficiently since it doesn't have to parse through unnecessary text. The end result is that comments, which are meant for human readers and not the compiler, do not appear in the final compiled program.

This function of the preprocessor is critical as it ensures that developers can add notes and explanations to the code for clarity and documentation purposes without affecting the performance or behavior of the executable program.

Other options are not accurate. For instance, the preprocessor does not convert comments into warnings, nor does it include them in the final output. Thus, the answer accurately represents the role of the preprocessor in handling comments within the C programming language.