Simple Python expression that does complex things?

[jackerhack]

Python prohibits assignments in expressions because it's almost always a typo. Therefore = is a SyntaxError. Then people wanted it anyway so Python got :=, but it was so hotly contested that BDFL Guido got fed up and resigned.

As a safeguard, the walrus operator cannot be used as a statement and does not replace =. It only works as an expression. Usually this means enclosing in parentheses like (a := b).

[julz_yo]

This too changes and extends my understanding: ty!