What is the difference between is and == in Python?
What is the difference between is and == in Python?
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11-Mar-2025
Khushi Singh
18-Mar-2025The comparison operators is and == exist in Python though they fulfill separate functions in programming. The is operator verifies whether objects point to the exact same location while == compares the values of objects.
The check operated by is reveals whether duplicate memory references exist between two variables. The operation returns True when both variables demonstrate matching reference to the same storage area. The different memory locations where identical objects could be placed will cause is to produce a False result. When working with the singleton objects None True and False the is operator provides a common comparison method.
With the == operator Python evaluates the values of objects to determine equality status irrespective of their memory positioning. In case of == comparison two distinct objects that share identical values will yield equivalence results despite their separate memory locations.
A comparison operation for equivalent lists will evaluate to True using == but return False with is because the mutable list structures occupy unique memory locations. The internal optimization applied by Python to certain immutable small data types like integers and strings results in the same behavior for both is and == operator matches.
Value equality checks with is operator lead to surprising results whenever they are misused because dynamically created objects act differently under these circumstances. When checking if two variables have equivalent values == should be employed because it serves the necessary function better than the is operator does. The is operator functions best when checking for variable identity because it confirms if a variable contains None values.
The correct use of Python's is operator and == operator relies on an understanding between comparing identity and value in Python code development particularly with mutable and immutable data types. The use of == for most comparisons is general practice yet is should be limited to identity tests alone.