If you are reading this, you may have faced this confusion at least once. All python beginners(sometimes intermediate too) face this dilemma and confusion.

The == operator compares the value of two variables, and the is keyword checks whether two variables point to the same address. You should use the == in most cases, except when you’re comparing to the None datatype.

Examples

Let's say you want to compare the value of a variable to another.

name = "john"

if name is "john":
    print(True)
else:
    print(False)

# you end up getting a SyntaxWarning and a suggestion (python 3.8)
#>>> SyntaxWarning: "is" with a literal. Did you mean "=="?

The better way to write it will be:

if name == "john":
    print(True)
else:
    print(False)

>>> True

Conclusion

In many cases, and as an advice to beginners, pretend the is keyword doesn't exist until when you need it.

Bonus Resources

• Dangers of using "is"
• Difference between is and ==
• is vs == object comparison