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The most important symbols used in programming

Programming is largely about writing instructions for the computer. In order to make these instructions understandable, we need to use the proper symbols. Using these symbols, we build the logical structure of our code.

It's a bit like the natural language we use every day. It has symbols such as dots, commas, etc. This allows us to create logical and understandable statements. In programming, it works in a very similar way. So a symbol in programming is just like a symbol in our written language .

Let's now look at the most popular symbols we use in coding/programming.

Semicolons ;

The semicolon is a symbol that indicates the end of an instruction . In programming, it plays a similar role as a period at the end of a sentence. Look at the example:

With the semicolon, we declare where the return instruction should end. Everything that is after the semicolon will be part of separate instructions. Semicolons are used in languages such as Java, C++, C# or PHP. There are also languages, like Python, that don't use any symbols at the end of the instruction.

Curly braces {}

Braces are used to define blocks of code . In practice, such a block can be a function, class, or similar structure. With their help, we specify that a certain set of instructions belongs to a single block. Here is an example:

We got a function named add . The block of this function has been delimited with the curly braces: { and } . This means that all instructions placed inside, should be treated as a single, distinct block.

Another example:

This time we got two blocks: if and else . Each of these blocks contains certain instructions.

Parentheses ()

Ordinary parentheses are often used to define the list of function arguments (also called parameters ). Let's return to this example:

Note that the function takes two arguments: a and b . These arguments are defined in ordinary parentheses.

Square Brackets []

Square brackets denote a set of values . Such a set is sometimes called an array or list . Example:

In the above example, we created an array named fruits . It contains 4 values, declared in square brackets. We can also use square brackets to refer to a specific value from the set:

In this code fragment, we used square brackets to refer to the element at the so-called index 0 . This is often the first element in the array.

The "=" sign

The "=" sign is a symbol used to assign a value to a variable . Variables in programming are containers for storing data. If you want to assign data to a variable, you can use this syntax:

This syntax should be interpreted as follows: assign the value 123 to the variable result . That's why we sometimes say that the "=" symbol is the assignment operator .

The "==" sign

The symbol known as the "double equal sign" is used to compare values . Take a look at the example:

In the above code snippet, we used this symbol to check if 4 is equal to 5. It's important to distinguish between a single equal sign (assignment operator) and a double equal sign (comparison operator).

Additional symbols are often used such as:

> which means ‘greater than’ < which means ‘less than’ != which means ‘not equal’ (inequality) >= which means ‘greater than or equal to’ <= which means ‘less than or equal to’

Note the exclamation point ( ! ). In programming, it is often used to negate a value.

Double quotes "" and single quotes ''

Double quotes and single quotes are symbols used to define a text string (sometimes referred to as a string ). With their help, we determine the beginning and end of a text string. Examples:

We have two strings assigned to variables. Interestingly, in many programming languages you can use either double quotes or single quotes interchangeably. It's just a matter of personal preference. However, it is important not to mix two different symbols in this way:

The above code is invalid. You cannot define a single string using a mix of double quotes and single quotes.

Mathematical symbols

There are some mathematical symbols that we commonly use to perform arithmetical operations:

• + (plus) is used to perform addition
• - (minus) is used to perform subtraction
• / (slash) is used to perform division
• * (asterisk) is used to perform multiplication
• % is known as a modulo operator and it gives us a remainder of the division
• ^ (caret) is used to perform exponentation in some languages

Logical operators (symbols)

We also have some coding symbols that allow us to create complex conditional statements:

• && - operator known as AND (both statements need to be true)
• || - operator known as OR (al least one statement need to be true)

Programming (or coding as some say) symbols serve as the language through which we communicate instructions to computers , constructing the logical framework of our code. From semicolons indicating the end of instructions to braces delineating code blocks, and from parentheses specifying function arguments to mathematical symbols facilitating arithmetic operations, each symbol plays a crucial role in shaping the functionality and clarity of our programs.

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1.6. Variables and Assignment ¶

Each set-off line in this section should be tried in the Shell.

Nothing is displayed by the interpreter after this entry, so it is not clear anything happened. Something has happened. This is an assignment statement , with a variable , width , on the left. A variable is a name for a value. An assignment statement associates a variable name on the left of the equal sign with the value of an expression calculated from the right of the equal sign. Enter

Once a variable is assigned a value, the variable can be used in place of that value. The response to the expression width is the same as if its value had been entered.

The interpreter does not print a value after an assignment statement because the value of the expression on the right is not lost. It can be recovered if you like, by entering the variable name and we did above.

Try each of the following lines:

The equal sign is an unfortunate choice of symbol for assignment, since Python’s usage is not the mathematical usage of the equal sign. If the symbol ↤ had appeared on keyboards in the early 1990’s, it would probably have been used for assignment instead of =, emphasizing the asymmetry of assignment. In mathematics an equation is an assertion that both sides of the equal sign are already, in fact, equal . A Python assignment statement forces the variable on the left hand side to become associated with the value of the expression on the right side. The difference from the mathematical usage can be illustrated. Try:

so this is not equivalent in Python to width = 10 . The left hand side must be a variable, to which the assignment is made. Reversed, we get a syntax error . Try

This is, of course, nonsensical as mathematics, but it makes perfectly good sense as an assignment, with the right-hand side calculated first. Can you figure out the value that is now associated with width? Check by entering

In the assignment statement, the expression on the right is evaluated first . At that point width was associated with its original value 10, so width + 5 had the value of 10 + 5 which is 15. That value was then assigned to the variable on the left ( width again) to give it a new value. We will modify the value of variables in a similar way routinely.

Assignment and variables work equally well with strings. Try:

Try entering:

Note the different form of the error message. The earlier errors in these tutorials were syntax errors: errors in translation of the instruction. In this last case the syntax was legal, so the interpreter went on to execute the instruction. Only then did it find the error described. There are no quotes around fred , so the interpreter assumed fred was an identifier, but the name fred was not defined at the time the line was executed.

It is both easy to forget quotes where you need them for a literal string and to mistakenly put them around a variable name that should not have them!

Try in the Shell :

There fred , without the quotes, makes sense.

There are more subtleties to assignment and the idea of a variable being a “name for” a value, but we will worry about them later, in Issues with Mutable Objects . They do not come up if our variables are just numbers and strings.

Autocompletion: A handy short cut. Idle remembers all the variables you have defined at any moment. This is handy when editing. Without pressing Enter, type into the Shell just

Assuming you are following on the earlier variable entries to the Shell, you should see f autocompleted to be

This is particularly useful if you have long identifiers! You can press Alt-/ several times if more than one identifier starts with the initial sequence of characters you typed. If you press Alt-/ again you should see fred . Backspace and edit so you have fi , and then and press Alt-/ again. You should not see fred this time, since it does not start with fi .

1.6.1. Literals and Identifiers ¶

Expressions like 27 or 'hello' are called literals , coming from the fact that they literally mean exactly what they say. They are distinguished from variables, whose value is not directly determined by their name.

The sequence of characters used to form a variable name (and names for other Python entities later) is called an identifier . It identifies a Python variable or other entity.

There are some restrictions on the character sequence that make up an identifier:

The characters must all be letters, digits, or underscores _ , and must start with a letter. In particular, punctuation and blanks are not allowed.

There are some words that are reserved for special use in Python. You may not use these words as your own identifiers. They are easy to recognize in Idle, because they are automatically colored orange. For the curious, you may read the full list:

There are also identifiers that are automatically defined in Python, and that you could redefine, but you probably should not unless you really know what you are doing! When you start the editor, we will see how Idle uses color to help you know what identifies are predefined.

Python is case sensitive: The identifiers last , LAST , and LaSt are all different. Be sure to be consistent. Using the Alt-/ auto-completion shortcut in Idle helps ensure you are consistent.

What is legal is distinct from what is conventional or good practice or recommended. Meaningful names for variables are important for the humans who are looking at programs, understanding them, and revising them. That sometimes means you would like to use a name that is more than one word long, like price at opening , but blanks are illegal! One poor option is just leaving out the blanks, like priceatopening . Then it may be hard to figure out where words split. Two practical options are

• underscore separated: putting underscores (which are legal) in place of the blanks, like price_at_opening .
• using camel-case : omitting spaces and using all lowercase, except capitalizing all words after the first, like priceAtOpening

Use the choice that fits your taste (or the taste or convention of the people you are working with).

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Kenneth Leroy Busbee

An assignment statement sets and/or re-sets the value stored in the storage location(s) denoted by a variable name; in other words, it copies a value into the variable. [1]

The assignment operator allows us to change the value of a modifiable data object (for beginning programmers this typically means a variable). It is associated with the concept of moving a value into the storage location (again usually a variable). Within most programming languages the symbol used for assignment is the equal symbol. But bite your tongue, when you see the = symbol you need to start thinking: assignment. The assignment operator has two operands. The one to the left of the operator is usually an identifier name for a variable. The one to the right of the operator is a value.

Simple Assignment

The value 21 is moved to the memory location for the variable named: age. Another way to say it: age is assigned the value 21.

Assignment with an Expression

The item to the right of the assignment operator is an expression. The expression will be evaluated and the answer is 14. The value 14 would be assigned to the variable named: total_cousins.

Assignment with Identifier Names in the Expression

The expression to the right of the assignment operator contains some identifier names. The program would fetch the values stored in those variables; add them together and get a value of 44; then assign the 44 to the total_students variable.

• cnx.org: Programming Fundamentals – A Modular Structured Approach using C++
• Wikipedia: Assignment (computer science) ↵

Programming Fundamentals Copyright © 2018 by Kenneth Leroy Busbee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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• Assignment Statement

An Assignment statement is a statement that is used to set a value to the variable name in a program .

Assignment statement allows a variable to hold different types of values during its program lifespan. Another way of understanding an assignment statement is, it stores a value in the memory location which is denoted by a variable name.

The symbol used in an assignment statement is called as an operator . The symbol is ‘=’ .

Note: The Assignment Operator should never be used for Equality purpose which is double equal sign ‘==’.

The Basic Syntax of Assignment Statement in a programming language is :

variable = expression ;

variable = variable name

expression = it could be either a direct value or a math expression/formula or a function call

Few programming languages such as Java, C, C++ require data type to be specified for the variable, so that it is easy to allocate memory space and store those values during program execution.

data_type variable_name = value ;

In the above-given examples, Variable ‘a’ is assigned a value in the same statement as per its defined data type. A data type is only declared for Variable ‘b’. In the 3 rd line of code, Variable ‘a’ is reassigned the value 25. The 4 th line of code assigns the value for Variable ‘b’.

Assignment Statement Forms

This is one of the most common forms of Assignment Statements. Here the Variable name is defined, initialized, and assigned a value in the same statement. This form is generally used when we want to use the Variable quite a few times and we do not want to change its value very frequently.

Tuple Assignment

Generally, we use this form when we want to define and assign values for more than 1 variable at the same time. This saves time and is an easy method. Note that here every individual variable has a different value assigned to it.

(Code In Python)

Sequence Assignment

(Code in Python)

Multiple-target Assignment or Chain Assignment

In this format, a single value is assigned to two or more variables.

Augmented Assignment

In this format, we use the combination of mathematical expressions and values for the Variable. Other augmented Assignment forms are: &=, -=, **=, etc.

Browse more Topics Under Data Types, Variables and Constants

• Concept of Data types
• Built-in Data Types
• Constants in Programing Language 
• Access Modifier
• Variables of Built-in-Datatypes
• Declaration/Initialization of Variables
• Type Modifier

Few Rules for Assignment Statement

Few Rules to be followed while writing the Assignment Statements are:

• Variable names must begin with a letter, underscore, non-number character. Each language has its own conventions.
• The Data type defined and the variable value must match.
• A variable name once defined can only be used once in the program. You cannot define it again to store other types of value.
• If you assign a new value to an existing variable, it will overwrite the previous value and assign the new value.

FAQs on Assignment Statement

Q1. Which of the following shows the syntax of an  assignment statement ?

• variablename = expression ;
• expression = variable ;
• datatype = variablename ;
• expression = datatype variable ;

Answer – Option A.

Q2. What is an expression ?

• Same as statement
• List of statements that make up a program
• Combination of literals, operators, variables, math formulas used to calculate a value
• Numbers expressed in digits

Answer – Option C.

Q3. What are the two steps that take place when an  assignment statement  is executed?

• Evaluate the expression, store the value in the variable
• Reserve memory, fill it with value
• Evaluate variable, store the result
• Store the value in the variable, evaluate the expression.

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Basic Symbols and Their Functions

Symbols for comparison and logic, assignment and special operators, advanced symbol usage, cross-language symbol comparison, best practices.

Welcome to the intricate world of coding symbols in programming languages! If you’re a coding enthusiast, a student, or a professional developer, you already know that coding is not just about typing commands; it’s about understanding the language of the computer. Symbols in programming are like the punctuation marks in a written language—they give structure, meaning, and clarity to our code. Whether you’re learning through platforms like codedamn or diving into documentation, a solid grasp of these symbols is crucial for efficient and error-free coding.

In this section, we’ll dive into the basic symbols that form the backbone of many programming languages. These symbols might seem small and insignificant, but they play a major role in how a program functions. Let’s explore some of these symbols and understand their importance.

Semicolon (;)

The semicolon is a critical symbol in many programming languages, including C, C++, and Java. It’s used to mark the end of a statement, much like a period in a sentence. This tells the compiler or interpreter where one statement ends and another begins, helping to avoid confusion and errors. For instance, in JavaScript, a semicolon is used to separate statements, although it’s often optional due to Automatic Semicolon Insertion (ASI). However, relying on ASI can sometimes lead to unexpected results, so it’s generally good practice to include semicolons explicitly.

Parentheses (())

Parentheses are used in virtually all programming languages, and their role can vary depending on the context. They are commonly used in function calls and definitions, where they enclose arguments or parameters. For example, print("Hello, World!") in Python uses parentheses to hold the string that the print function will output. They’re also crucial in controlling the order of operations in mathematical expressions, just like in algebra.

The plus symbol is most commonly associated with addition in mathematics, and this holds true in programming as well. In many languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript, the plus symbol is used for adding numbers. But its role doesn’t stop there. In languages like JavaScript, the plus symbol can also be used for string concatenation, meaning it can combine two strings into one. For instance, "Hello " + "World!" results in "Hello World!" . It’s a versatile symbol with multiple uses depending on the context.

Now, let’s turn our attention to symbols that are used for comparison and logical operations. These symbols are essential for making decisions in code and controlling the flow of execution based on certain conditions.

Equality (==) and Inequality (!=) Operators

Equality ( == ) and inequality ( != ) operators are fundamental in programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and many others. They are used to compare values. The equality operator ( == ) checks if the values on either side are equivalent, while the inequality operator ( != ) checks if they are not. It’s important to note that == in JavaScript does type coercion, which can lead to unexpected results. For strict comparison, === is used, which compares both value and type.

Logical And (&) and Or (||)

Logical operators such as And ( & ) and Or ( || ) play a pivotal role in decision-making in programming. They are used to combine multiple conditions. In a logical AND operation, the result is true if all conditions are true. In contrast, the logical OR operation yields true if at least one of the conditions is true. These operators are widely used in programming languages like C++, Java, and JavaScript for constructing complex logical expressions.

In the world of programming, understanding the significance and functionality of various symbols is crucial. These symbols, often compact and seemingly simple, carry a great deal of meaning and are fundamental in structuring and executing code effectively. In this section, we’ll dive into some of the commonly used assignment and special operators, exploring their roles and nuances across different programming languages.

Assignment Operator (=)

The assignment operator, represented by the equal sign = , is one of the most fundamental symbols in programming. It is used to assign values to variables. In most languages, the operator takes the value on its right and stores it in the variable on its left. For instance, x = 5 assigns the value 5 to the variable x . It’s essential to differentiate between the assignment operator and the equality operator (== in many languages), which is used for comparison.

Dollar Sign ($)

The dollar sign $ holds a special place in several programming languages, notably PHP. In PHP, the dollar sign is used to denote variables. For example, $username represents a variable named ‘username’. Its use simplifies the process of variable identification and differentiation from other elements in the code. This specific use of the dollar sign is unique to PHP and a few other languages, marking a distinctive syntax feature.

Braces ({})

Braces, or curly brackets {} , are versatile symbols used across various programming languages with multiple purposes. In languages like C, C++, and Java, braces define the scope of code blocks, encapsulating functions, loops, and conditional statements. They help in structuring the code, making it readable and maintainable. For instance, in a function definition, the code within the braces is the function body. Braces also play a significant role in object and array initializations in languages like JavaScript and Python.

As we delve deeper into programming, we encounter symbols that play more specialized roles, often pivotal in advanced coding techniques and structures. These symbols contribute to the efficiency and sophistication of the code, enabling programmers to implement complex logic and functionalities.

Scope Resolution (::)

The scope resolution operator, denoted by :: , is used in languages like C++ to access static, constant, and overridden members of a class. For example, ClassName::staticMethod() allows access to a static method of a class without needing to instantiate it. This operator is essential for namespace management and accessing class members in an unambiguous way, especially in large-scale projects where name conflicts might arise.

Arrow (->)

The arrow symbol -> is used in several programming contexts. In C++, it is used to access members of a structure or a class through a pointer. For example, ptr->func() calls the function func() on the object that ptr points to. In languages like PHP, it serves a similar purpose, accessing an object’s properties or methods. The arrow operator provides a concise and clear syntax for pointer and object manipulation.

Programming languages, while sharing some common syntax elements, often utilize symbols differently, offering a rich diversity in coding approaches. This section compares how certain symbols are used across various programming languages, highlighting their unique applications and functionalities.

Symbol Usage in Different Languages

A comparative analysis of symbol usage across languages reveals intriguing differences and similarities. For example, the colon symbol : has varied uses – in Python, it denotes the start of an indented block following structures like loops and conditionals, while in JavaScript, it’s used in object literals to separate keys from values. Similarly, brackets [] are used for array indexing in languages like C and Java, but in Python, they define a list.

Effective symbol usage in programming is not just about understanding their functionality but also about employing them in a way that enhances code clarity, maintainability, and efficiency. Some best practices include:

• Use clear and consistent naming conventions for variables and functions.
• Avoid overusing symbols in a way that makes the code cryptic or unreadable.
• Understand the nuances of symbol usage in the specific language you’re working with.
• Regularly refactor code to improve its structure and readability.

Symbols in programming languages are like the nuts and bolts in machinery – small but essential. Their proper usage is key to writing efficient, readable, and maintainable code. This exploration of various symbols across different languages underscores the importance of understanding their context-specific applications and nuances.

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Assignment Operators in Programming

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Assignment operators in programming are symbols used to assign values to variables. They offer shorthand notations for performing arithmetic operations and updating variable values in a single step. These operators are fundamental in most programming languages and help streamline code while improving readability.

Table of Content

What are Assignment Operators?

• Types of Assignment Operators
• Assignment Operators in C++
• Assignment Operators in Java
• Assignment Operators in C#
• Assignment Operators in Javascript
• Application of Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used in programming to  assign values  to variables. We use an assignment operator to store and update data within a program. They enable programmers to store data in variables and manipulate that data. The most common assignment operator is the equals sign ( = ), which assigns the value on the right side of the operator to the variable on the left side.

Types of Assignment Operators:

• Simple Assignment Operator ( = )
• Addition Assignment Operator ( += )
• Subtraction Assignment Operator ( -= )
• Multiplication Assignment Operator ( *= )
• Division Assignment Operator ( /= )
• Modulus Assignment Operator ( %= )

Below is a table summarizing common assignment operators along with their symbols, description, and examples:

Assignment Operators in C:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in C language:

Assignment Operators in C++:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in C++ language:

Assignment Operators in Java:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in java language:

Assignment Operators in Python:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in python language:

Assignment Operators in C#:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in C# language:

Assignment Operators in Javascript:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in javascript language:

Application of Assignment Operators:

• Variable Initialization : Setting initial values to variables during declaration.
• Mathematical Operations : Combining arithmetic operations with assignment to update variable values.
• Loop Control : Updating loop variables to control loop iterations.
• Conditional Statements : Assigning different values based on conditions in conditional statements.
• Function Return Values : Storing the return values of functions in variables.
• Data Manipulation : Assigning values received from user input or retrieved from databases to variables.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, assignment operators in programming are essential tools for assigning values to variables and performing operations in a concise and efficient manner. They allow programmers to manipulate data and control the flow of their programs effectively. Understanding and using assignment operators correctly is fundamental to writing clear, efficient, and maintainable code in various programming languages.

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