Is there a "not equal" operator in Python?

Yes, Python does have a "not equal" operator—and it's super straightforward to use. In fact, Python gives you two ways to express inequality:

 1. The != Operator

This is the most commonly used and widely accepted way to check if two values are not equal.

a = 10

b = 20

if a != b:

    print("a and b are not equal")  # ✅ Output will be printed

• This works with numbers, strings, lists, and other data types.
  
• It's used frequently in if conditions and loops.
  

 2. The <> Operator (Obsolete)

You might see this in old Python 2 code:

if a <> b:  # ❌ This no longer works in Python 3

    print("Not equal")

Don’t use this in Python 3—it was removed and will throw a syntax error.

 Where You Might Use !=

• Filtering data (if item != 'apple')
  
• Validating user input
  
• Loop control or skipping specific conditions
  

So yes, Python makes it super easy to check for inequality using !=. It’s clear, readable, and works just like you'd expect. Just avoid the outdated <> and stick with the modern syntax!