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Comparison operators are used to compare values, test conditions, or filter elements of a collection, such as an array. They return a Boolean value, True or False, as a result.

Equality Operators

Some of the comparison operators in PowerShell are called equality operators. They are binary operators that compare two integer or string values that return True if the operator condition is met; otherwise, False.

Operator Description
-eq Checks if the two operand values are an exact match
-ne Checks if the two operand values are NOT an exact match
-gt Checks if the value of the left operand is greater than the value of the right operand
-lt Checks if the value of the left operand is less than the value of the right operand
-ge Checks if the value of the left operand is greater OR equal to the value of the right operand
-le Checks if the value of the left operand is less OR equal to the value of the right operand

Let’s take a look at a few examples.

-eq and -ne

In the example below, -eq returns True because $my_num matches the value 5. When we use the ne operator on the same operands, it returns False since it only returns True when the two values are NOT a match.

PS > $my_num = 5 PS > $my_num -eq 5 True PS > $my_num -ne 5 False

The -eq and -ne also work on strings, as shown below.

PS > "tomato" -ne "vegetable" True
-gt and -lt

The first expression in the example below returns True since 7 is greater than 2. 42 is not less than 42, so the second expression returns False.

PS > 7 -gt 2 True PS > 42 -lt 42 False
-ge and -le

In the example below, 3 is not greater than or equal to 6, so False is returned, and 42 is less than or equal to 42, so True is returned.

PS > 3 -ge 6 False PS > 42 -le 42 True

Instructions

1.

In the PowerShell terminal, check if the string "happy" is equal to the string "coding".

Click the Check Work button to continue.

2.

Using the greater than operator, check if the integer 5 is greater than the integer 2.

Click the Check Work button to continue.

3.

Using the less than or equal operator, check if 43.15 is less than or equal to 43.15.

Click the Check Work button to continue.

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