Python Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. Besides the simple assignment =, Python provides shorthand operators that combine arithmetic operations with assignment. These operators update the value of a variable based on its current value.

1. Simple Assignment (=)

Assigns the value on the right to the variable on the left.

x = 10
print(x)  # Output: 10

2. Add and Assign (+=)

Adds the right operand to the left operand and assigns the result to the left operand.

x = 5
x += 3   # Equivalent to: x = x + 3
print(x)  # Output: 8

3. Subtract and Assign (-=)

Subtracts the right operand from the left operand and assigns the result.

x = 10
x -= 4   # Equivalent to: x = x - 4
print(x)  # Output: 6

4. Multiply and Assign (*=)

Multiplies the left operand by the right operand and assigns the result.

x = 6
x *= 2   # Equivalent to: x = x * 2
print(x)  # Output: 12

5. Divide and Assign (/=)

Divides the left operand by the right operand and assigns the result (float division).

x = 15
x /= 4   # Equivalent to: x = x / 4
print(x)  # Output: 3.75

6. Floor Divide and Assign (//=)

Performs floor division (division that rounds down to nearest integer) and assigns the result.

x = 15
x //= 4  # Equivalent to: x = x // 4
print(x)  # Output: 3

7. Modulus and Assign (%=)

Calculates the remainder of division and assigns it.

x = 17
x %= 5   # Equivalent to: x = x % 5
print(x)  # Output: 2

8. Exponent and Assign (**=)

Raises the left operand to the power of the right operand and assigns the result.

x = 3
x **= 3  # Equivalent to: x = x ** 3
print(x)  # Output: 27

9. Bitwise AND and Assign (&=)

Performs bitwise AND and assigns the result.

x = 5      # (0101 in binary)
x &= 3     # (0011 in binary)
print(x)   # Output: 1 (0001 in binary)

10. Bitwise OR and Assign (|=)

Performs bitwise OR and assigns the result.

x = 5      # (0101 in binary)
x |= 3     # (0011 in binary)
print(x)   # Output: 7 (0111 in binary)

11. Bitwise XOR and Assign (^=)

Performs bitwise XOR and assigns the result.

x = 5      # (0101 in binary)
x ^= 3     # (0011 in binary)
print(x)   # Output: 6 (0110 in binary)

12. Bitwise Right Shift and Assign (>>=)

Shifts bits to the right and assigns the result.

x = 16     # (10000 in binary)
x >>= 2    # Shift right by 2 bits
print(x)   # Output: 4 (00100 in binary)

13. Bitwise Left Shift and Assign (<<=)

Shifts bits to the left and assigns the result.

x = 4      # (00100 in binary)
x <<= 2    # Shift left by 2 bits
print(x)   # Output: 16 (10000 in binary)

Summary Table