= Simple assignment
Last updated: 2026-09-22
= Simple assignment
= binds the value of the right-hand expression to the name on the left.
| Category | Operators |
|---|---|
| Kind | Operator |
📝 Syntax
name = expression▶ Example
Edit the code, press Run, and see the result in the output panel:
Output：
10💡 Tip Assignment binds a name, it does not copy the object; several names may point to the same object.
💡 Related Cases
More case studies coming soon — check back later.
❓ FAQ
QIs a = b a copy of the object?
ANo. It only binds the name `a` to the same object that `b` points to. Mutating a mutable object (list, dict) affects both names; to copy, use `lst.copy()` or the `copy` module.
QHow does chained assignment a = b = 0 execute?
ARight to left: both `a` and `b` bind to the same object `0`. For mutable objects it likewise binds only once, so with `a = b = []` both `a` and `b` point to the same empty list.
QWhy isn't assignment an expression in Python?
ABy design, assignment was deliberately made a statement, avoiding the classic C mistake of `if (x = 5)` using assignment where a condition was meant. Since 3.8, when an expression form is genuinely needed, `:=` is available.
