Why do code snippets not work after lists?

Question

I want to insert a code snippet after a list but the code snippet is not a part of the list item.

1. This is the first item.

2. This is the second item

   \documentclass{article} \begin{document} \end{document}

Should I always insert a rule to make it work?

1. This is the first item.
2. This is the second item

A dummy rule is added to fix this problem.

---

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\end{document}

The same issue happened in StackOverflow. I have just checked it.

Answer 1

You could insert a piece of invisible HTML code:

 1. This is the first item.
 2. This is the second item

<!-- code follows -->

    \documentclass{article}
    \begin{document}
    \end{document}

Output:

1. This is the first item.
2. This is the second item

\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}
\end{document}