[Bluej-discuss] confusion over =

[Ian Barland]

>>   a = b + c
>> appears simple, it is very confusing to early students who want to
>> look at it as a balanced equation instead of an assignment.
>>
> Is there any *evidence* that this is a common misconception among students?
>
Even after 13 weeks, weaker students still try to use "=" when they mean
"==".  I've long ceased being surprised that a symbol which has meant
equality from K-12 and beyond still is mistaken for equality in Java.


> Let's rule out instances where teachers say "You're going to find this
> confusing" and students then do as they're told.
>
I do consistently pronounce `=` as 'gets', and I gently correct students who
call it 'equals'; I don't know if that counts as "you're going to find this
confusing".


FWIW, this is the first year that I've noticed students repeatedly expecting
"%" to mean "percentage" (like it does in Excel).  At least that confusion
doesn't result in bugs like "if (b = true) ...".

--Ian (B.)