What is the difference between `==` and `=` in C++?

In C++, the operator == is used to compare two values for equality. When you use ==, the expression evaluates to either true or false, depending on whether the values on either side are equal. For instance, if you have if (a == b), the condition checks if the value of a is the same as the value of b, resulting in a boolean outcome.

On the other hand, the single equal sign = is the assignment operator. It is used to assign a value to a variable. For example, a = 5 sets the value of a to 5. This operation does not compare values; instead, it takes the value on the right side and assigns it to the variable on the left side.

Understanding the distinction is crucial to avoiding common programming errors in C++. Misusing these operators can lead to logical bugs in your code; for example, using = in a condition instead of == would typically result in an assignment instead of a comparison, which would always evaluate to true in cases where the assigned value is non-zero. This distinction highlights the importance of correctly implementing conditional statements and assignments when programming in C++.