Meaning of "=" symbol in Process Model expressions

Question

What is the meaning of the first "=" symbol in this expression in process model? 
 
 As far as I'm aware, in Appian code, the ' = ' operator is used for comparison, and ' : ' is used for assignment. 
 When editing an expression in a process model the first '=' sign at the start of the expression is always added automatically, which leads to an expression like this, that seems to be valid. 
 In this case the comparison with true() is completely redundant, but it's not my point. What is the purpose of the first '=' sign? Where in the documentation can I find something about it?

Mike Schmitt · Accepted Answer

All expressions (be it process model expressions, expression rules, interfaces, etc) used to be required to start with the "=" sign, perhaps for some sign to the Appian interpreter that it would be reading expression language "code" as opposed to plaintext (edit: i just remembered that the alternative is a literal value, i.e. an integer, etc.). 
 That was a while ago. Over the years, as we've switched more and more to the modern GUI style expression editors (and interface editor), the "=" has become optional and, in many cases, automatically removed if left in (like in the data output code box in the process modeler). Only a few places are left where it's required / auto-added (like the data input tab expression boxes). 
 If you ever poke around in the expression rules of a legacy project you'll probably notice many of them still begin with a leading "=" though.

Shubham Aware · Answer

The first = symbol in your expression likely serves a syntactic purpose to maintain consistent formatting within Appian process models. It doesn't perform an actual comparison with true().

DaisyManmohan5ingh · Answer

It an assignment Operator which Used to Be in Appian But with Modernization we have Modern Function which we use for the same Purpose . 
 Normally there is no drawback of it . It's just like Declaring the Own Function which we Create (any if else or any Modern Login) in the Editor with the Value

Meaning of "=" symbol in Process Model expressions

Top Replies