C++

9.7    Assignment

The assignment is also “just” an expression, in which = is the operator:

Expression left side = Expression right side

Here, however, the change to the left operand can be referred to as a side effect. On the right and left, there are again expressions, where on the left side there must be something to which you can assign something—for example, a variable:

int number;number = 26 * 12 + 3;  

It would make no sense to use a literal on the left side of the assignment, such as 26 = number * 3. Constants are also out of the question. However, there are cases where a real expression stands there—one that actually computes something.

You have seen that a function can also return a reference. You got a more detailed insight into this ...