Augmented Assignments in Python
There are cases when you are storing the result of a binary operation into one of the operands. For example, a = a + b or a = a + 1. In such cases, the operand a is evaluated twice. Python offers an alternative, known as Augmented Assignment, in which the operand a is evaluated only once. This alternative is more efficient and offers shorthand for binary operations.
# REGULAR ASSIGNMENT >>> x = 10 >>> x = x + 5 >>> x 15 # AUGMENTED ASSIGNMENT >>> x = 10 >>> x += 5 >>> x 15
The operator is not limited to +, it can be either of the following binary operators: +, -, *, /, //, %, **, >>, <<, &, ^, |.
See also:
- Python 101
- Object Oriented Python
- Design Patterns in Python
- 50+ Handy Standard Library Modules
- 60+ Handy Third Library Modules
- 50+ Tips & Tricks for Python Developers
- 50+ Know-How(s) Every Pythonista Must Know