In this article, we will explore the differences between the “=” and “==” operators in C Programming and provide examples of their usage.
What is Assignment Operator (=)?
In C programming, the assignment operator plays an important role, allowing you to assign a value to a variable in your code. Think of variables as containers that store information, and the assignment operator as a way to fill or refill those containers with new information whenever you need to. With the assignment operator, you can update the value of the variable at any point when the program is executing. It is a fundamental concept that beginners must grasp to write effective code.
Here is an example of using an assignment operator in C Programming:
The above code asks the user to enter two integer-type numbers num1 and num2. After that, it calculates the sum of these two numbers and assigns it to the int-type variable named sum using the assignment operator (=). Finally, it prints the sum using the printf() function.
What is an Equal To Operator (==)?
In C, the equal to (==) operator is a binary operator that operates on two inputs. The ‘==’ operator determines the fact that either of the operands is equal. If this is the case, it yields true. If not, it yields false.
Here is a simple code that illustrates the working of == operator in C Programming.
The above program requires entering two integer-type numbers num1 and num2. After that, it checks whether these two numbers are equal or not using the comparison operator (==), and then prints the result using the printf() function.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between the assignment operator (=) and the equal to operator (==) is useful while programming in C. The assignment operator assigns the value to the variable, whereas the equal to operator determines whether or not two operands are equal. Using the correct operator in the right situation, programmers can write efficient and error-free code.
