freeCodeCamp/guide/english/certifications/javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures/basic-javascript/comparison-with-the-equality-operator/index.md

---
title: Comparison with the Equality Operator
---
## Comparison with the equality operator


### Problem explanation:
_Add the equality operator to the indicated line so that the function will return "Equal" when `val` is equivalent to 12._

#### Hint 1
Remember that _equality is different from assignment (`=`), which assigns the value at the right of the operator to a variable in the left._<sup><a href="#cite1">1</a></sup>
> _try to solve the problem now_


## Spoiler alert!

**Solution ahead!**

## Basic code solution:

```javascript

function testEqual(val) {
  if (val == 12) { // Change this line
    return "Equal";
  }
  return "Not equal";
}
// Change this value to test
testEqual(10);

```
· [Run code at repl.it](https://repl.it/@AdrianSkar/Basic-JS-Equality-operator)

### Code explanation
The function first evaluates `if` the condition `(val == 12)` evaluates to `true`. If it does, it returns the statement between the curly braces ("Equal"). If it doesn't, it returns the next `return` statement outside them ("Not equal"). 

### Sources
<span id="cite1">1</span>. ["Basic JavaScript: Comparison with the Equality Operator", fCC lesson at *JavaScript Algorithms And Data Structures Certification*](https://learn.freecodecamp.org/javascript-algorithms-and-data-structures/basic-javascript/comparison-with-the-equality-operator)

### Resources

- ["Equality operator" - *MDN JavaScript reference*](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/Comparison_Operators#Equality_())