Why Do C# Assignment Statements Return a Value?

Why does C# assignment expression return a value?

In C#, assignment statements are not simple value setters, but expressions that produce values. This behavior differs from the usual expectation that assignment only modifies the variable.

Understanding assignment expressions

The assignment expression is different from other expressions in that it is also a legal statement. This versatility comes from its side effects, which usually involve modifying variables or calling methods. In contrast, expressions without side effects (e.g., arithmetic operations, variable references) only produce values.

C-like language idioms

Allowing assignment expressions is a deep reflection of C-like language idioms. It is believed that the convenience and practicality (in C) of retaining the just assigned value in a register played an important role in its inclusion as a language feature.

Key points: Side effects

Crucially, all legal assignment expressions have one characteristic in common: their side effects. These side effects make them useful in certain situations, such as in the context of statements where side effects are required, and in conditional expressions that depend on the value of an assignment.

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