Assignment (computer science)

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For assignment of letters to disk file systems, see Drive letter assignment.
In computer programming, 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. In most imperative programming
languages, the assignment statement (or expression) is a fundamental construct.
Today, the most commonly used notation for this basic operation has come to
be x = expr (originally Superplan 1949–51, popularized by Fortran 1957 and C)
followed by[1] x := expr (originally ALGOL 1958, popularised by Pascal),[2] although
there are many other notations in use. In some languages the symbol used is
regarded as an operator (meaning that the assignment statement as a whole returns
a value) while others define the assignment as a statement (meaning that it cannot
be used in an expression).
Assignments typically allow a variable to hold different values at different times
during its life-span and scope. However, some languages (primarily strictly
functional) do not allow that kind of "destructive" reassignment, as it might imply
changes of non-local state. The purpose is to enforce referential transparency, i.e.
functions that do not depend on the state of some variable(s), but produce the same
results for a given set of parametric inputs at any point in time. Modern programs in
other languages also often use similar strategies, although less strict, and only in
certain parts, in order to reduce complexity, normally in conjunction with
complementing methodologies such as data structuring, structured
programming and object orientation.

Contents

• 1Semantics
• 2Single assignment
• 3Value of an assignment
• 4Variant forms of assignment
o 4.1Augmented assignment
o 4.2Chained assignment
o 4.3Parallel assignment
• 5Assignment versus equality
• 6Notation
• 7See also
• 8Notes
• 9References

Semantics[edit]
An assignment operation is a process in imperative programming in which different
values are associated with a particular variable name as time passes. [1] The program,
in such model, operates by changing its state using successive assignment
statements.[2][3] Primitives of imperative programming languages rely on assignment
to do iteration.[4] At the lowest level, assignment is implemented using machine
operations such as MOVE or STORE .[2][4]
Variables are containers for values. It is possible to put a value into a variable and
later replace it with a new one. An assignment operation modifies the current state of
the executing program.[3] Consequently, assignment is dependent on the concept
of variables. In an assignment:

• The expression is evaluated in the current state of the program.

• The variable is assigned the computed value, replacing the prior value of that
variable.
Example: Assuming that a is a numeric variable, the assignment a := 2*a means
that the content of the variable a is doubled after the execution of the statement.
An example segment of C code:

int x = 10;
float y;
x = 23;
y = 32.4f;

In this sample, the variable x is first declared as an int, and is then assigned the
value of 10. Notice that the declaration and assignment occur in the same statement.
In the second line, y is declared without an assignment. In the third line, x is
reassigned the value of 23. Finally, y is assigned the value of 32.4.
For an assignment operation, it is necessary that the value of the expression is well-
defined (it is a valid rvalue) and that the variable represents a modifiable entity (it is
a valid modifiable (non-const) lvalue). In some languages, typically dynamic ones, it
is not necessary to declare a variable prior to assigning it a value. In such
languages, a variable is automatically declared the first time it is assigned to, with
the scope it is declared in varying by language.