assignment

programming Storing the value of an expression in a

variable. This is commonly written in the form "v = e". In

Algol the assignment operator was ":=" (pronounced

"becomes") to avoid mathematicians qualms about writing

statements like x = x+1.

Assignment is not allowed in functional languages, where an

identifier always has the same value.

See also referential transparency, single assignment,

zero assignment.

(1996-08-19)