CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javascript
Brian Ellis
Brian Ellis

Reputation: 2441

Clarification of Operand in Variable Assignment

I am doing this for the benefit of Javascript but the knowledge and terms cross all languages I would imagine. This is why I included JAVA and C as programmers knowledge on the subject from these fields are generally higher level.

If the question has been posed and answered, kindly just let me know.

I understand the basics of operators and operands.

1 + 2 = 3

1 and 2 are the operands and + is the operator. Solutions to the expression are not considered operands as they are the returned value.

If I am wrong with this summary please let me know

My question is that in assigning a value to variable

var x = 1

Is the variable considered to be the operand in this instance? My guess would be yes, as x is being assigned via an operator the value 1. But is it not, or are both x and 1 the operands with = being the assignment operator as the solution is x is now 1.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 76

Answers (2)

Shivam
Shivam

Reputation: 649

= is a simple assignment operator that assigns values from right side operands to the variable on the left side.

Example: x = y + z will assign value of y + z into x

So it is clear that = is an operator having left and right sides as operands.

Upvotes: 1

ParkerHalo
ParkerHalo

Reputation: 4430

The java spec tells us the following about the assignment operator:

The result of the first operand of an assignment operator must be a variable

So yes, the left hand side of the assignment operator is an operand. A little further on we can read:

Next, the right hand operand is evaluated.

So the right hand side is an operand too!

Although i don't know why it would be important to know if the java developers call the left/right hand side of an assignment an 'operand' or not!

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions