title: Tools and techniques to improve comprehension of unfamiliar code?
body: <p>I've realised that my greatest weakness as a programming student is my poor ability to comprehend other people's code. </p>
  
  <p>I have no trouble whatsoever with 'textbook' code, or clearly-commented code, but when given a program of a few hundred lines, containing a dozen or so different functions and no comments, I find it very difficult to even begin. </p>
  
  <p>I know this type of code is what I'm probably more likely to encounter in my career, and I think that having poor code comprehension skills is going to be a great hindrance to me, so I'd like to focus on improving my skills in this area. </p>
  
  <p>What tools/techniques have helped improve code comprehension in your experience? </p>
  
  <p>How do you tend to tackle unfamiliar, uncommented code? Why? What about your technique do you find helpful? </p>
  
  <p>Thanks </p>