Assignment Operators

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What Are Assignment Operators?

In Python, assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. The most basic one is the simple =, but Python also provides compound assignment operators like +=, -=, *=, and others that combine arithmetic with assignment — making your code shorter and cleaner.

Basic Assignment (=)

x = 5
print(x)

Explanation:

This assigns the value 5 to the variable x.

Example in Machine Learning:

You might initialize model parameters or weights:

weight = 0.01

Example in Game Development:

Setting the player’s initial health:

player_health = 100

Add and Assign (+=)

x = 5
x += 3  # same as x = x + 3
print(x)  # Output: 8

Explanation:

Adds 3 to the current value of x.

Example in ML:

Adding the batch loss to total training loss:

total_loss = 0.0
batch_loss = 0.25
total_loss += batch_loss

Example in Web Analytics:

Incrementing total website visits:

visits = 120
new_visits = 5
visits += new_visits

3. Subtract and Assign (-=)

x = 10
x -= 4  # same as x = x - 4
print(x)  # Output: 6

Explanation:

Subtracts 4 from the current value of x.

Example in ML:

Gradient Descent weight update:

weight = 0.5
gradient = 0.1
learning_rate = 0.01
weight -= learning_rate * gradient

Example in Game Development:

Reducing player health after damage:

player_health -= damage

4. Multiply and Assign (*=)

x = 4
x *= 3  # same as x = x * 3
print(x)  # Output: 12

Explanation:

Multiplies the current value by 3.

Example in ML:

Scaling normalized inputs:

input_value = 0.7
scale_factor = 2
input_value *= scale_factor

Example in E-commerce:

Calculating total cost after multiple items:

price_per_item = 15
quantity = 3
price_per_item *= quantity

5. Divide and Assign (/=)

x = 20
x /= 4  # same as x = x / 4
print(x)  # Output: 5.0

Explanation:

Divides the current value by 4.

Example in ML:

Averaging loss across batches:

total_loss = 1.2
batches = 4
avg_loss = total_loss
avg_loss /= batches

Example in Finance:

Calculating average monthly spending:

total_spent = 1200
months = 12
average_spent = total_spent
average_spent /= months

6. Modulus and Assign (%=)

x = 10
x %= 3  # same as x = x % 3
print(x)  # Output: 1

Explanation:

Stores the remainder of x ÷ 3.

Example in ML/Logging:

Printing logs every few iterations:

if step % 100 == 0:
    print(f"Logging at step {step}")

Example in Gaming:

Cycle through turns:

turn %= num_players

7. Exponent and Assign (=)**

x = 2
x **= 3  # same as x = x ** 3
print(x)  # Output: 8

Explanation:

Raises x to the power of 3.

Example in ML:

Simulating learning rate decay:

lr = 0.1
decay = 0.9
lr **= 2  # simulate exponential decay

Example in Physics Simulation:

Increasing speed exponentially:

speed **= 2

8. Floor Divide and Assign (//=)

x = 9
x //= 2  # same as x = x // 2
print(x)  # Output: 4

Explanation:

Performs integer division (no remainder).

Example in ML:

Determining number of batches:

data_size = 1000
batch_size = 128
num_batches = data_size
num_batches //= batch_size

Example in App Development:

Calculating pagination pages:

total_items = 53
items_per_page = 10
pages = total_items
pages //= items_per_page

Summary Table

Operator	Description	Example (x = 5)	Result (x)
=	Assign	x = 5	5
+=	Add and assign	x += 3	8
-=	Subtract and assign	x -= 2	3
*=	Multiply and assign	x *= 4	20
/=	Divide and assign	x /= 5	1.0
%=	Modulus and assign	x %= 3	2
**=	Exponent and assign	x **= 2	25
//=	Floor divide and assign	x //= 2	2

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Keywords

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