The concept of assignment using an equals sign

[theophani]

On page 1, Line 155 this statement is made:

“The above program introduces two new concepts: the semicolons, and the use of var.” https://github.com/OpenTechSchool/js-beginners-day1/blob/master/page1.html#L155

However, the program also introduces assignment using an equals sign. The concept is assumed to be understood in the paragraph that begins on Line 168: https://github.com/OpenTechSchool/js-beginners-day1/blob/master/page1.html#L168

Can we add a step (or a remark in this step) about = being used to set a value?

[theophani]

Credit: This suggestion was inspired by http://andy.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/programming-is-not-algebra/, which hit on a confusion I certainly had as a beginner.

[marijnh]

The concept is assumed to be understood in the paragraph that begins on Line 168:

The way I intended it, that paragraph explains the concept, rather than assuming it to be understood.

What do you find unclear about the explanation?

[theophani]

Hrmm, perhaps I'm reading too little into the line. In my mind, it implies that = assigns values without granting that the concept is new.

The sentence for reference: “The = operator can be used at any time to give it a new value, as in the third line of the example.”

I was thinking something such as changing the intro to “introduces three new concepts: the semicolons, the use of var, and the = operator” to hint that while the = looks familiar, it acts differently than you may expect. The only change needed later would be: “to give variables new values”