Python Assignment Operators

Python assignment operators are one of the operator types and assign values to variables. We use arithmetic operators here in combination with a variable.

Let’s take a look at some examples.

Operator Assignment (=)

This is the most basic assignment operator and we used it before in the lessons about lists, tuples, and dictionaries.  For example, we can assign a value (integer) to a variable:

>>> x = 4

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

4

Operator Addition (+=)

We can add a number to our variable like this:

>>> x = 4

>>> x += 1

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

5

Using the above operator is the same as doing this:

>>> x = 4

>>> x = x + 1

>>> print(x)

Will show the same output:

5

The += operator is shorter to write but the end result is the same.

Operator Subtraction (-=)

We can also subtract a value. For example:

>>> x = 4

>>> x -= 2

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

2

Using this operator is the same as doing this:

>>> x = 4

>>> x = x - 2

>>> print(x)

Will show the same output:

2

Operator Multiplication (*=)

We can also use multiplication. We’ll multiply our variable by 4:

>>> x = 4

>>> x *= 4

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

16

Which is similar to:

>>> x = 4

>>> x = x * 4

>>> print(x)

Will show the same output:

16

Operator Division (/=)

Let’s try the divide operator:

>>> x = 16

>>> x /= 4

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

4.0

This is the same as:

>>> x = 16

>>> x = x / 4

>>> print(x)

Will show the same output:

4.0

Operator Modulus (%=)

We can also calculate the modulus. How about this:

>>> x = 4

>>> x %= 3

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

1

This is the same as doing it like this:

>>> x = 4

>>> x = x % 3

>>> print(x)

Will show the same output:

1

Operator Exponentiation (**=)

How about exponentiation? Let’s give it a try:

>>> x = 2

>>> x **= 4

>>> print(x)

Will show this output:

16

Which is the same as doing it like this: