Comparison Operators in Python

Comparison Operators in Python: Evaluating Conditions

Comparison operators in Python allow us to compare two values and determine relationships between them. These operators are **essential** in programming because they enable decision-making, conditional execution, and logical comparisons.

Why Are Comparison Operators Important?

• Conditional Execution: Used in if statements to control program flow.
• Filtering Data: Helps in selecting values based on conditions.
• Game Logic: Determines if a player wins or loses based on scores.
• Loop Control: Ensures repetitive tasks stop at the right time.

Common Comparison Operators

Python provides several comparison operators that return **Boolean values** (True or False).

• == Equal to
• != Not equal to
• > Greater than
• < Less than
• >= Greater than or equal to
• <= Less than or equal to

1. Equal To (==)

Checks if two values are **exactly** the same.

# Equal comparison
a = 5
b = 5
print(a == b)  # Output: True

2. Not Equal To (!=)

Checks if two values are **different**.

# Not equal comparison
x = 10
y = 15
print(x != y)  # Output: True

3. Greater Than (>)

Checks if the left value is **larger** than the right.

# Greater than comparison
age = 18
print(age > 16)  # Output: True

4. Less Than (<)

Checks if the left value is **smaller** than the right.

# Less than comparison
price = 500
print(price < 1000)  # Output: True

5. Greater Than or Equal To (>=)

Checks if the left value is **greater than or exactly equal** to the right.

# Greater than or equal to
score = 80
print(score >= 80)  # Output: True

6. Less Than or Equal To (<=)

Checks if the left value is **less than or exactly equal** to the right.

# Less than or equal to
speed = 60
print(speed <= 100)  # Output: True

Using Comparison Operators in Conditional Statements

Comparison operators are **often used in decision-making structures**, like if statements.

# Using comparison in an if statement
temperature = 25
if temperature > 30:
    print("It's a hot day!")
else:
    print("The weather is pleasant.")

Combining Comparisons with Logical Operators

You can **combine multiple comparisons** using logical operators:

• and - Both conditions must be true.
• or - At least one condition must be true.
• not - Negates a condition.

# Combining comparisons
x = 20
y = 10

if x > 10 and y < 15:
    print("Both conditions are met.")  # Output: Both conditions are met.

Conclusion

Comparison operators are the foundation of decision-making in Python. They help determine relationships between values and control program flow. Mastering these operators allows you to write smarter, more dynamic code.

Where do you think you’ll use comparison operators in your projects?