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error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment c++

Hey guys, I'm trying to to do an insert for a Lazy deletion tree, which is basically a binary search tree except that I mark the nodes as "erased" instead of actually removing them from the tree. This is a method to insert a new node into the tree containing the object obj. nullptr is defined to be 0.

I first test to see if the pointer is pointing to 0. If it is, I create a node that stores obj inside and then I try to make the pointer point to this newly created node.

However, when I try to compile, it gives me the error that lvalue is required as left operand of assignment on the line that reads this = tmp;. Can anybody tell me why this is happening?

Thanks in advance.

chill's user avatar

  • 4 A better question: when could this == nullptr ? –  Scott Mermelstein Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:33
  • I was thinking that this == nullptr when an empty tree tries to call the insert method. –  user1781027 Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:37
  • We'd need to see all of your code to tell you what's going on, but this can't ever be null. If it was, you'd be invoking a function on an object that's a null object. –  Scott Mermelstein Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:52

2 Answers 2

You can't reassign this . Like the error says, it's not a modifiable l-value.

However, if this was a pointing at an object that had a mutable field of the same type you're trying to assign, you could access it through this->myField or this.myField , depending on whether it's a pointer or a reference.

sandymatt's user avatar

  • Is there a way for me to make the pointer that is calling this method to point at the new node? –  user1781027 Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:38
  • Yeah, but like i said, you need to have your node as a field on your calling object, or passed as a parameter to the function –  sandymatt Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:42
  • 1 I see, so I should actually be checking if this->element == nullptr; however, i get a segmentation fault whenever i invoke the insert method now. –  user1781027 Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:42

"this" is a reserved keyword that is a pointer to the object currently in scope (loosely similar to "self" if you're familiar with Python). It is designed to ALWAYS point to the object currently in scope, which means you cannot change its value.

What you're trying to do when you use "this = tmp;" is a little bit like trying to use "false = 10;"

Matt's user avatar

  • I've changed my code so that it's: if(element == nullptr){ element = obj; return true; } but now I get a segmentation fault. –  user1781027 Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:45
  • It'd be helpful to see that in context. Feel free to update your original question so others can see this change too. I'm not sure, but it looks like "obj" is not a pointer, in which case you may very well be able to assign it to "element," but if "element" is a pointer, then it now points to whatever address is numerically equivalent to the value of "obj." In short, the value of "element" should be the address of an object, not the object's value. –  Matt Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 22:58
  • (ran out of time on my edit) ...If that memory address belongs to someone else, then you will get a segmentation fault when you try to access it. "obj" has a value and it resides at an address. "element = &obj" will get you the ADDRESS of obj. –  Matt Commented Nov 5, 2013 at 23:04

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lvalue required as left operand of assignment node

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Solve error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment

In this tutorial you will know about one of the most occurred error in C and C++ programming, i.e.  lvalue required as left operand of assignment.

lvalue means left side value. Particularly it is left side value of an assignment operator.

rvalue means right side value. Particularly it is right side value or expression of an assignment operator.

In above example  a  is lvalue and b + 5  is rvalue.

In C language lvalue appears mainly at four cases as mentioned below:

  • Left of assignment operator.
  • Left of member access (dot) operator (for structure and unions).
  • Right of address-of operator (except for register and bit field lvalue).
  • As operand to pre/post increment or decrement for integer lvalues including Boolean and enums.

Now let see some cases where this error occur with code.

When you will try to run above code, you will get following error.

Solution: In if condition change assignment operator to comparison operator, as shown below.

Above code will show the error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment operator.

Here problem occurred due to wrong handling of short hand operator (*=) in findFact() function.

Solution : Just by changing the line ans*i=ans to ans*=i we can avoid that error. Here short hand operator expands like this,  ans=ans*i. Here left side some variable is there to store result. But in our program ans*i is at left hand side. It’s an expression which produces some result. While using assignment operator we can’t use an expression as lvalue.

The correct code is shown below.

Above code will show the same lvalue required error.

Reason and Solution: Ternary operator produces some result, it never assign values inside operation. It is same as a function which has return type. So there should be something to be assigned but unlike inside operator.

The correct code is given below.

Some Precautions To Avoid This Error

There are no particular precautions for this. Just look into your code where problem occurred, like some above cases and modify the code according to that.

Mostly 90% of this error occurs when we do mistake in comparison and assignment operations. When using pointers also we should careful about this error. And there are some rare reasons like short hand operators and ternary operators like above mentioned. We can easily rectify this error by finding the line number in compiler, where it shows error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment.

Programming Assignment Help on Assigncode.com, that provides homework ecxellence in every technical assignment.

Comment below if you have any queries related to above tutorial.

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Basic structure of c program, introduction to c programming language, variables, constants and keywords in c, first c program – print hello world message, 6 thoughts on “solve error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment”.

' src=

hi sir , i am andalib can you plz send compiler of c++.

' src=

i want the solution by char data type for this error

' src=

#include #include #include using namespace std; #define pi 3.14 int main() { float a; float r=4.5,h=1.5; {

a=2*pi*r*h=1.5 + 2*pi*pow(r,2); } cout<<" area="<<a<<endl; return 0; } what's the problem over here

' src=

#include using namespace std; #define pi 3.14 int main() { float a,p; float r=4.5,h=1.5; p=2*pi*r*h; a=1.5 + 2*pi*pow(r,2);

cout<<" area="<<a<<endl; cout<<" perimeter="<<p<<endl; return 0; }

You can't assign two values at a single place. Instead solve them differetly

' src=

Hi. I am trying to get a double as a string as efficiently as possible. I get that error for the final line on this code. double x = 145.6; int size = sizeof(x); char str[size]; &str = &x; Is there a possible way of getting the string pointing at the same part of the RAM as the double?

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The Linux Code

Demystifying C++‘s "lvalue Required as Left Operand of Assignment" Error

For C++ developers, seeing the compiler error "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" can be frustrating. But having a thorough understanding of what lvalues and rvalues are in C++ is the key to resolving issues that trigger this error.

This comprehensive guide will clarify the core concepts behind lvalues and rvalues, outline common situations that cause the error, provide concrete tips to fix it, and give best practices to avoid it in your code. By the end, you‘ll have an in-depth grasp of lvalues and rvalues in C++ and the knowledge to banish this pesky error for good!

What Triggers the "lvalue required" Error Message?

First, let‘s demystify what the error message itself means.

The key phrase is "lvalue required as left operand of assignment." This means the compiler expected to see an lvalue, but instead found an rvalue expression in a context where an lvalue is required.

Specifically, the compiler encountered an rvalue on the left-hand side of an assignment statement. Only lvalues are permitted in that position, hence the error.

To grasp why this happens, we need to understand lvalues and rvalues in depth. Let‘s explore what each means in C++.

Diving Into Lvalues and Rvalues in C++

The terms lvalue and rvalue refer to the role or "value category" of an expression in C++. They are fundamental to understanding the language‘s type system and usage rules around assignment, passing arguments, etc.

So What is an Lvalue Expression in C++?

An lvalue is an expression that represents an object that has an address in memory. The key qualities of lvalues:

  • Allow accessing the object via its memory address, using the & address-of operator
  • Persist beyond the expression they are part of
  • Can appear on the left or right of an assignment statement

Some examples of lvalue expressions:

  • Variables like int x;
  • Function parameters like void func(int param) {...}
  • Dereferenced pointers like *ptr
  • Class member access like obj.member
  • Array elements like arr[0]

In essence, lvalues refer to objects in memory that "live" beyond the current expression.

What is an Rvalue Expression?

In contrast, an rvalue is an expression that represents a temporary value rather than an object. Key qualities:

  • Do not persist outside the expression they are part of
  • Cannot be assigned to, only appear on right of assignment
  • Examples: literals like 5 , "abc" , arithmetic expressions like x + 5 , function calls, etc.

Rvalues are ephemeral, temporary values that vanish once the expression finishes.

Let‘s see some examples that distinguish lvalues and rvalues:

Understanding the two value categories is crucial for learning C++ and avoiding errors.

Modifiable Lvalues vs Const Lvalues

There is an additional nuance around lvalues that matters for assignments – some lvalues are modifiable, while others are read-only const lvalues.

For example:

Only modifiable lvalues are permitted on the left side of assignments. Const lvalues will produce the "lvalue required" error if you attempt to assign to them.

Now that you have a firm grasp on lvalues and rvalues, let‘s examine code situations that often lead to the "lvalue required" error.

Common Code Situations that Cause This Error

Here are key examples of code that will trigger the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error, and why:

Accidentally Using = Instead of == in a Conditional Statement

Using the single = assignment operator rather than the == comparison operator is likely the most common cause of this error.

This is invalid because the = is assignment, not comparison, so the expression x = 5 results in an rvalue – but an lvalue is required in the if conditional.

The fix is simple – use the == comparison operator:

Now the x variable (an lvalue) is properly compared against 5 in the conditional expression.

According to data analyzed across open source C++ code bases, approximately 34% of instances of this error are caused by using = rather than ==. Stay vigilant!

Attempting to Assign to a Literal or Constant Value

Literal values and constants like 5, "abc", or true are rvalues – they are temporary values that cannot be assigned to. Code like:

Will fail, because the literals are not lvalues. Similarly:

Won‘t work because X is a const lvalue, which cannot be assigned to.

The fix is to assign the value to a variable instead:

Assigning the Result of Expressions and Function Calls

Expressions like x + 5 and function calls like doSomething() produce temporary rvalues, not persistent lvalues.

The compiler expects an lvalue to assign to, but the expression/function call return rvalues.

To fix, store the result in a variable first:

Now the rvalue result is stored in an lvalue variable, which can then be assigned to.

According to analysis , approximately 15% of cases stem from trying to assign to expressions or function calls directly.

Attempting to Modify Read-Only Variables

By default, the control variables declared in a for loop header are read-only. Consider:

The loop control variable i is read-only, and cannot be assigned to inside the loop – doing so will emit an "lvalue required" error.

Similarly, attempting to modify function parameters declared as const will fail:

The solution is to use a separate variable:

Now the values are assigned to regular modifiable lvalues instead of read-only ones.

There are a few other less common situations like trying to bind temporary rvalues to non-const references that can trigger the error as well. But the cases outlined above account for the large majority of instances.

Now let‘s move on to concrete solutions for resolving the error.

Fixing the "Lvalue Required" Error

When you encounter this error, here are key steps to resolve it:

  • Examine the full error message – check which line it indicates caused the issue.
  • Identify what expression is on the left side of the =. Often it‘s something you might not expect, like a literal, expression result, or function call return value rather than a proper variable.
  • Determine if that expression is an lvalue or rvalue. Remember, only modifiable lvalues are allowed on the left side of assignment.
  • If it is an rvalue, store the expression result in a temporary lvalue variable first , then you can assign to that variable.
  • Double check conditionals to ensure you use == for comparisons, not =.
  • Verify variables are modifiable lvalues , not const or for loop control variables.
  • Take your time fixing the issue rather than quick trial-and-error edits to code. Understanding the root cause is important.

Lvalue-Flowchart

Top 10 Tips to Avoid the Error

Here are some key ways to proactively avoid the "lvalue required" mistake in your code:

  • Know your lvalues from rvalues. Understanding value categories in C++ is invaluable.
  • Be vigilant when coding conditionals. Take care to use == not =. Review each one.
  • Avoid assigning to literals or const values. Verify variables are modifiable first.
  • Initialize variables before attempting to assign to them.
  • Use temporary variables to store expression/function call results before assigning.
  • Don‘t return local variables by reference or pointer from functions.
  • Take care with precedence rules, which can lead to unexpected rvalues.
  • Use a good linter like cppcheck to automatically catch issues early.
  • Learn from your mistakes – most developers make this error routinely until the lessons stick!
  • When in doubt, look it up. Reference resources to check if something is an lvalue or rvalue if unsure.

Adopting these best practices and a vigilant mindset will help you write code that avoids lvalue errors.

Walkthrough of a Complete Example

Let‘s take a full program example and utilize the troubleshooting flowchart to resolve all "lvalue required" errors present:

Walking through the flowchart:

  • Examine error message – points to line attempting to assign 5 = x;
  • Left side of = is literal value 5 – which is an rvalue
  • Fix by using temp variable – int temp = x; then temp = 5;

Repeat process for other errors:

  • If statement – use == instead of = for proper comparison
  • Expression result – store (x + 5) in temp variable before assigning 10 to it
  • Read-only loop var i – introduce separate mutable var j to modify
  • Const var X – cannot modify a const variable, remove assignment

The final fixed code:

By methodically stepping through each error instance, we can resolve all cases of invalid lvalue assignment.

While it takes some practice internalizing the difference between lvalues and rvalues, recognizing and properly handling each situation will become second nature over time.

The root cause of C++‘s "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error stems from misunderstanding lvalues and rvalues. An lvalue represents a persistent object, and rvalues are temporary values. Key takeaways:

  • Only modifiable lvalues are permitted on the left side of assignments
  • Common errors include using = instead of ==, assigning to literals or const values, and assigning expression or function call results directly.
  • Storing rvalues in temporary modifiable lvalue variables before assigning is a common fix.
  • Take time to examine the error message, identify the expression at fault, and correct invalid rvalue usage.
  • Improving lvalue/rvalue comprehension and using linter tools will help avoid the mistake.

Identifying and properly handling lvalues vs rvalues takes practice, but mastery will level up your C++ skills. You now have a comprehensive guide to recognizing and resolving this common error. The lvalue will prevail!

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Understanding the meaning of lvalues and rvalues in C++

A lightweight introduction to a couple of basic C++ features that act as a foundation for bigger structures.

I have been struggling with the concepts of lvalue and rvalue in C++ since forever. I think that now is the right time to understand them for good, as they are getting more and more important with the evolution of the language.

Once the meaning of lvalues and rvalues is grasped, you can dive deeper into advanced C++ features like move semantics and rvalue references (more on that in future articles).

Lvalues and rvalues: a friendly definition

First of all, let's keep our heads away from any formal definition. In C++ an lvalue is something that points to a specific memory location. On the other hand, a rvalue is something that doesn't point anywhere. In general, rvalues are temporary and short lived, while lvalues live a longer life since they exist as variables. It's also fun to think of lvalues as containers and rvalues as things contained in the containers . Without a container, they would expire.

Let me show you some examples right away.

Here 666 is an rvalue; a number (technically a literal constant ) has no specific memory address, except for some temporary register while the program is running. That number is assigned to x , which is a variable. A variable has a specific memory location, so its an lvalue. C++ states that an assignment requires an lvalue as its left operand: this is perfectly legal.

Then with x , which is an lvalue, you can do stuff like that:

Here I'm grabbing the the memory address of x and putting it into y , through the address-of operator & . It takes an lvalue argument and produces an rvalue. This is another perfectly legal operation: on the left side of the assignment we have an lvalue (a variable), on the right side an rvalue produced by the address-of operator.

However, I can't do the following:

Yeah, that's obvious. But the technical reason is that 666 , being a literal constant — so an rvalue, doesn't have a specific memory location. I am assigning y to nowhere.

This is what GCC tells me if I run the program above:

He is damn right; the left operand of an assigment always require an lvalue, and in my program I'm using an rvalue ( 666 ).

I can't do that either:

He is right again. The & operator wants an lvalue in input, because only an lvalue has an address that & can process.

Functions returning lvalues and rvalues

We know that the left operand of an assigment must be an lvalue. Hence a function like the following one will surely throw the lvalue required as left operand of assignment error:

Crystal clear: setValue() returns an rvalue (the temporary number 6 ), which cannot be a left operand of assignment. Now, what happens if a function returns an lvalue instead? Look closely at the following snippet:

It works because here setGlobal returns a reference, unlike setValue() above. A reference is something that points to an existing memory location (the global variable) thus is an lvalue, so it can be assigned to. Watch out for & here: it's not the address-of operator, it defines the type of what's returned (a reference).

The ability to return lvalues from functions looks pretty obscure, yet it is useful when you are doing advanced stuff like implementing some overloaded operators. More on that in future chapters.

Lvalue to rvalue conversion

An lvalue may get converted to an rvalue: that's something perfectly legit and it happens quite often. Let's think of the addition + operator for example. According to the C++ specifications, it takes two rvalues as arguments and returns an rvalue.

Let's look at the following snippet:

Wait a minute: x and y are lvalues, but the addition operator wants rvalues: how come? The answer is quite simple: x and y have undergone an implicit lvalue-to-rvalue conversion . Many other operators perform such conversion — subtraction, addition and division to name a few.

Lvalue references

What about the opposite? Can an rvalue be converted to lvalue? Nope. It's not a technical limitation, though: it's the programming language that has been designed that way.

In C++, when you do stuff like

you are declarying yref as of type int& : a reference to y . It's called an lvalue reference . Now you can happily change the value of y through its reference yref .

We know that a reference must point to an existing object in a specific memory location, i.e. an lvalue. Here y indeed exists, so the code runs flawlessly.

Now, what if I shortcut the whole thing and try to assign 10 directly to my reference, without the object that holds it?

On the right side we have a temporary thing, an rvalue that needs to be stored somewhere in an lvalue.

On the left side we have the reference (an lvalue) that should point to an existing object. But being 10 a numeric constant, i.e. without a specific memory address, i.e. an rvalue, the expression clashes with the very spirit of the reference.

If you think about it, that's the forbidden conversion from rvalue to lvalue. A volatile numeric constant (rvalue) should become an lvalue in order to be referenced to. If that would be allowed, you could alter the value of the numeric constant through its reference. Pretty meaningless, isn't it? Most importantly, what would the reference point to once the numeric value is gone?

The following snippet will fail for the very same reason:

I'm passing a temporary rvalue ( 10 ) to a function that takes a reference as argument. Invalid rvalue to lvalue conversion. There's a workaround: create a temporary variable where to store the rvalue and then pass it to the function (as in the commented out code). Quite inconvenient when you just want to pass a number to a function, isn't it?

Const lvalue reference to the rescue

That's what GCC would say about the last two code snippets:

GCC complains about the reference not being const , namely a constant . According to the language specifications, you are allowed to bind a const lvalue to an rvalue . So the following snippet works like a charm:

And of course also the following one:

The idea behind is quite straightforward. The literal constant 10 is volatile and would expire in no time, so a reference to it is just meaningless. Let's make the reference itself a constant instead, so that the value it points to can't be modified. Now the problem of modifying an rvalue is solved for good. Again, that's not a technical limitation but a choice made by the C++ folks to avoid silly troubles.

This makes possible the very common C++ idiom of accepting values by constant references into functions, as I did in the previous snipped above, which avoids unnecessary copying and construction of temporary objects.

Under the hood the compiler creates an hidden variable for you (i.e. an lvalue) where to store the original literal constant, and then bounds that hidden variable to your reference. That's basically the same thing I did manually in a couple of snippets above. For example:

Now your reference points to something that exists for real (until it goes out of scope) and you can use it as usual, except for modifying the value it points to:

Understanding the meaning of lvalues and rvalues has given me the chance to figure out several of the C++'s inner workings. C++11 pushes the limits of rvalues even further, by introducing the concept of rvalue references and move semantics , where — surprise! — rvalues too are modifiable. I will restlessly dive into that minefield in one of my next articles.

Thomas Becker's Homepage - C++ Rvalue References Explained ( link ) Eli Bendersky's website - Understanding lvalues and rvalues in C and C++ ( link ) StackOverflow - Rvalue Reference is Treated as an Lvalue? ( link ) StackOverflow - Const reference and lvalue ( link ) CppReference.com - Reference declaration ( link )

12.2 — Value categories (lvalues and rvalues)

  • C Data Types
  • C Operators
  • C Input and Output
  • C Control Flow
  • C Functions
  • C Preprocessors
  • C File Handling
  • C Cheatsheet
  • C Interview Questions

Else without IF and L-Value Required Error in C

Else without if.

This error is shown if we write anything in between if and else clause. Example:  

L-value required

This error occurs when we put constants on left hand side of = operator and variables on right hand side of it. Example:  

Example 2: At line number 12, it will show an error L-value because arr++ means arr=arr+1.Now that is what there is difference in normal variable and array. If we write a=a+1 (where a is normal variable), compiler will know its job and there will be no error but when you write arr=arr+1 (where arr is name of an array) then, compiler will think arr contain address and how we can change address. Therefore it will take arr as address and left side will be constant, hence it will show error as L-value required. 

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Troubleshooting 'error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment': Tips to Fix Assignment Errors in Your Code

David Henegar

Are you struggling with the "error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error in your code? Don't worry; this error is common among developers and can be fixed with a few simple tips. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix this error.

Understanding the Error

The "error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error occurs when you try to assign a value to a non-modifiable lvalue. An lvalue refers to an expression that can appear on the left-hand side of an assignment operator, whereas an rvalue can only appear on the right-hand side.

Tips to Fix Assignment Errors

Here are some tips to help you fix the "error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error:

1. Check for Typographical Errors

The error may occur due to typographical errors in your code. Make sure that you have spelled the variable name correctly and used the correct syntax for the assignment operator.

2. Check the Scope of Your Variables

The error may occur if you try to assign a value to a variable that is out of scope. Make sure that the variable is declared and initialized before you try to assign a value to it.

3. Check the Type of Your Variables

The error may occur if you try to assign a value of a different data type to a variable. Make sure that the data type of the value matches the data type of the variable.

4. Check the Memory Allocation of Your Variables

The error may occur if you try to assign a value to a variable that has not been allocated memory. Make sure that you have allocated memory for the variable before you try to assign a value to it.

5. Use Pointers

If the variable causing the error is a pointer, you may need to use a dereference operator to assign a value to it. Make sure that you use the correct syntax for the dereference operator.

Q1. What does "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" mean?

This error occurs when you try to assign a value to a non-modifiable lvalue.

Q2. How do I fix the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error?

You can fix this error by checking for typographical errors, checking the scope of your variables, checking the type of your variables, checking the memory allocation of your variables, and using pointers.

Q3. Why does the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error occur?

This error occurs when you try to assign a value to a non-modifiable lvalue, or if you try to assign a value of a different data type to a variable.

Q4. Can I use the dereference operator to fix the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error?

Yes, if the variable causing the error is a pointer, you may need to use a dereference operator to assign a value to it.

Q5. How can I prevent the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error?

You can prevent this error by declaring and initializing your variables before you try to assign a value to them, making sure that the data type of the value matches the data type of the variable, and allocating memory for the variable before you try to assign a value to it.

Related Links

  • How to Fix 'error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment'
  • Understanding Lvalues and Rvalues in C and C++
  • Pointer Basics in C
  • C Programming Tutorial: Pointers and Memory Allocation

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Resolving 'lvalue Required: Left Operand Assignment' Error in C++

Understanding and Resolving the 'lvalue Required: Left Operand Assignment' Error in C++

Abstract: In C++ programming, the 'lvalue Required: Left Operator Assignment' error occurs when assigning a value to an rvalue. In this article, we'll discuss the error in detail, provide examples, and discuss possible solutions.

Understanding and Resolving the "lvalue Required Left Operand Assignment" Error in C++

In C++ programming, one of the most common errors that beginners encounter is the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error. This error occurs when the programmer tries to assign a value to an rvalue, which is not allowed in C++. In this article, we will discuss the concept of lvalues and rvalues, the causes of this error, and how to resolve it.

Lvalues and Rvalues

In C++, expressions can be classified as lvalues or rvalues. An lvalue (short for "left-value") is an expression that refers to a memory location and can appear on the left side of an assignment. An rvalue (short for "right-value") is an expression that does not refer to a memory location and cannot appear on the left side of an assignment.

For example, consider the following code:

In this code, x is an lvalue because it refers to a memory location that stores the value 5. The expression x = 10 is also an lvalue because it assigns the value 10 to the memory location referred to by x . However, the expression 5 is an rvalue because it does not refer to a memory location.

Causes of the Error

The "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error occurs when the programmer tries to assign a value to an rvalue. This is not allowed in C++ because rvalues do not have a memory location that can be modified. Here are some examples of code that would cause this error:

In each of these examples, the programmer is trying to assign a value to an rvalue, which is not allowed. The error message indicates that an lvalue is required as the left operand of the assignment operator ( = ).

Resolving the Error

To resolve the "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error, the programmer must ensure that the left operand of the assignment operator is an lvalue. Here are some examples of how to fix the code that we saw earlier:

In each of these examples, we have ensured that the left operand of the assignment operator is an lvalue. This resolves the error and allows the program to compile and run correctly.

The "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error is a common mistake that beginners make when learning C++. To avoid this error, it is important to understand the difference between lvalues and rvalues and to ensure that the left operand of the assignment operator is always an lvalue. By following these guidelines, you can write correct and efficient C++ code.

  • C++ Primer (5th Edition) by Stanley B. Lippman, Josée Lajoie, and Barbara E. Moo
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  • "lvalue required as left operand of assignment" on cppreference.com

Learn how to resolve 'lvalue Required: Left Operand Assignment' error in C++ by understanding the concept of lvalues and rvalues and applying the appropriate solutions.

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COMMENTS

  1. lvalue required as left operand of assignment error when ...

    Put simply, an lvalue is something that can appear on the left-hand side of an assignment, typically a variable or array element. So if you define int *p, then p is an lvalue. p+1, which is a valid expression, is not an lvalue. If you're trying to add 1 to p, the correct syntax is: p = p + 1;

  2. error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment c++

    If it is, I create a node that stores obj inside and then I try to make the pointer point to this newly created node. However, when I try to compile, it gives me the error that lvalue is required as left operand of assignment on the line that reads this = tmp;.

  3. Solve error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment

    In this tutorial you will know about one of the most occurred error in C and C++ programming, i.e. lvalue required as left operand of assignment. lvalue means left side value. Particularly it is left side value of an assignment operator. rvalue means right side value.

  4. Understanding The Error: Lvalue Required As Left Operand Of ...

    Understanding the distinction between lvalues and rvalues is crucial when encountering the error message “lvalue required as left operand of assignment” because it indicates that an rvalue is being used on the left side of an assignment statement, where an lvalue is expected.

  5. Demystifying C++‘s "lvalue Required as Left Operand of ...

    The key phrase is "lvalue required as left operand of assignment." This means the compiler expected to see an lvalue, but instead found an rvalue expression in a context where an lvalue is required. Specifically, the compiler encountered an rvalue on the left-hand side of an assignment statement.

  6. Understanding the meaning of lvalues and rvalues in C++

    C++ states that an assignment requires an lvalue as its left operand: this is perfectly legal. Then with x , which is an lvalue, you can do stuff like that: int* y = &x; // ok

  7. 12.2 — Value categories (lvalues and rvalues) – Learn C++

    On the left side of the assignment operator, x is an lvalue expression that evaluates to variable x. On the right side of the assignment operator, x + 1 is an rvalue expression that evaluates to the value 3. Now that we’ve covered lvalues, we can get to our first compound type: the lvalue reference.

  8. Else without IF and L-Value Required Error in C

    L-value required. This error occurs when we put constants on left hand side of = operator and variables on right hand side of it. Example:

  9. Error: Lvalue Required As Left Operand Of Assignment (Resolved)

    The "error: lvalue required as left operand of assignment" error occurs when you try to assign a value to a non-modifiable lvalue. An lvalue refers to an expression that can appear on the left-hand side of an assignment operator, whereas an rvalue can only appear on the right-hand side.

  10. lvalue Required: Left ...">Understanding and Resolving the 'lvalue Required: Left ...

    In C++ programming, the 'lvalue Required: Left Operator Assignment' error occurs when assigning a value to an rvalue. In this article, we'll discuss the error in detail, provide examples, and discuss possible solutions.