Python SyntaxError: cannot assign to operator [duplicate]

Question

The following Python script raises syntax error:

def main(number, number2, equation):
    if equation == 1:
        number + number2 = answer

SyntaxError: cannot assign to operator is the raised error. Please help.

Sorry that i didnt put the "code look" to the code im a dumass — noobie
– noobie, Commented Dec 29, 2020 at 11:54
The statement is not valid for python. Variables must be left side and expression must be the right side. For more information, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assignment_(computer_science) — Ismail Durmaz
– Ismail Durmaz, Commented Dec 29, 2020 at 12:09
Hey @noobie, Welcome to SO. Congrats on your efforts in learning Python. Keep it up. Statement - number + number2 = answer is not valid. It's because the assignment operator(=) assigns the right-hand side value to the left-hand side. Btw, don't get discouraged by the down votes. Keep up the learning. — mrtpk
– mrtpk, Commented Dec 29, 2020 at 12:21

rozumir · Accepted Answer · 2020-12-29 12:36:10Z

3

You must assign (=) operation (number + number2) to variable answer in this direction.

answer = number + number2

Variable name is on right side and value, expression, object, etc. is on the left.

answered Dec 29, 2020 at 11:55

rozumir

90510 silver badges20 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

CoffeePanda · Accepted Answer · 2020-12-29 11:58:28Z

1

In python you set variables to be equal to the their result instead of the result to be equal to the variable. So where you have put

number + number2 = answer

You need to do

answer = number + number2

As what you are doing is making the sum of number and number2 equal to answer which is not possible

answered Dec 29, 2020 at 11:58

CoffeePanda

718 bronze badges