Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako

• Define what a "comparison operator" is in programming.

• Identify common comparison operators (e.g., ==, >, <).

• Understand that comparison operators are used to compare two values or variables.

• Explain that the result of a comparison operation is always a Boolean value (True or False).

Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Knowledge Required)

To get the most out of learning about Comparison Operators, it's essential to have a clear understanding of:

• Variable: Do you know that variables are used to store changing information in programs?

• Computer Program: Do you know that programs are sets of instructions designed to perform tasks?

Quick Check: In mathematics, you compare numbers all the time (e.g., is 5 greater than 3? Is 7 equal to 7?). How do you think a computer program makes these same kinds of comparisons?

What is a Comparison Operator?

A comparison operator is a symbol used in computer programs to compare two values. These values can be numbers, text (strings), or even the contents of variables. The result of any comparison operation is always a Boolean value: either True (if the comparison is correct) or False (if the comparison is incorrect).

Comparison operators are absolutely essential for making decisions in a program, which is often done using Selection (if/else) statements.

Think of it like this:

Imagine a security guard at a gate. They have a rule: "IF the person's age is greater than or equal to 18, THEN let them in." The "greater than or equal to" part is a comparison operator. It checks a value (age) against a rule (18) and produces a "yes" (True) or "no" (False) answer.

How It Works / Me Pēhea te Mahi

Comparison operators take two values (on their left and right sides) and evaluate if the relationship between them is true or false.

Here are the most common comparison operators used in programming (using pseudocode for examples). In Google Sites, you would create sections for these using text boxes, potentially arranged side-by-side using the built-in layout options (e.g., a two-column or three-column layout) for easy reading on any device.

• == (Equal to)

  • Meaning: Checks if the value on the left is exactly equal to the value on the right.

  • Example: 5 == 5 (Result: True - 5 is indeed equal to 5)

  • Example: score == 100 (Result: False - if score is currently 95)

• != (Not equal to)

  • Meaning: Checks if the value on the left is NOT equal to the value on the right.

  • Example: 10 != 7 (Result: True - 10 is indeed not equal to 7)

  • Example: name != "Alice" (Result: False - if name is currently "Alice")

• > (Greater than)

  • Meaning: Checks if the value on the left is larger than the value on the right.

  • Example: age > 18 (Result: False - if age is currently 16)

  • Example: points > 50 (Result: True - if points is currently 75)

• < (Less than)

  • Meaning: Checks if the value on the left is smaller than the value on the right.

  • Example: temperature < 0 (Result: True - if temperature is currently -5)

  • Example: price < 20.00 (Result: False - if price is currently 25.50)

• >= (Greater than or equal to)

  • Meaning: Checks if the value on the left is larger than or equal to the value on the right.

  • Example: age >= 16 (Result: True - if age is currently 16 or 17)

  • Example: level >= 10 (Result: False - if level is currently 9)

• <= (Less than or equal to)

  • Meaning: Checks if the value on the left is smaller than or equal to the value on the right.

  • Example: items_left <= 5 (Result: True - if items_left is currently 3)

  • Example: cost <= 100 (Result: False - if cost is currently 101)

Important Notes:

• == vs. =: In many programming languages, == (double equals) is used for comparison (checking if two values are equal), while = (single equals) is used for assignment (giving a value to a variable). This is a common mistake for beginners!

• Boolean Results: The output of a comparison is always True or False. These Boolean values are then often used by Selection statements to control the sequence of a program.

• Comparing Text: When comparing text (strings), operators often compare them alphabetically. For example, "Apple" < "Banana" would be True.

Assessment / Te Aromatawai

Check your understanding of Comparison Operators.

1. Multiple Choice: What type of value (data type) is always the result of a comparison operation using operators like > or ==?

   • a) A Number

   • b) Text (String)

   • c) Boolean (True/False)

   • d) A Variable

2. Short Answer: Explain the difference between score = 100 and score == 100 in programming pseudocode.

3. Scenario: A computer program controls an automatic door that opens when a sensor detects someone standing close to it. The program has a variable called distance_to_person.

   • Which comparison operator would the program most likely use to decide if the door should open?

   • If distance_to_person is 2 meters, and the door opens when someone is less than 1.5 meters away, what would be the Boolean result of the comparison?

Key Takeaways / Mātauranga

• Comparison operators are symbols (e.g., ==, !=, >, <, >=, <=) used to compare two values.

• The result of a comparison is always a Boolean value (True or False).

• They are essential for making decisions in computer programs, especially within Selection statements.

• Be careful to distinguish between == (comparison) and = (assignment to a variable).

What's Next?

Now that you understand how to compare values and get True/False results, you're ready to use these results to control the flow of your programs:

• Logical Operator: Learn how to combine multiple True/False results to create more complex conditions.

• Selection: Discover how programs use these True/False conditions to make choices and execute different blocks of code.

• Computer Program: Apply comparison operators as you write more sophisticated programs.

• Sorting Algorithms: See how comparison operators are fundamentally used within algorithms to order items (e.g., "is A less than B?").

Continue your journey by clicking on the links to these exciting topics!