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Bellamer
Bellamer

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Essential Programming Symbols and Their German Equivalents

As a junior developer working with multiple programming languages, you might find yourself jumping between LANGUAGES! This can be exciting but also a bit confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the various symbols used in code.

For those who are bilingual in German and English, this post is here to help. Below, you'll find a comprehensive table that matches up the most important programming symbols with their German equivalents. This resource is particularly handy if you're working with German documentation or communicating with a German-speaking team.

The Table: Essential Programming Symbols in German and English

German English Symbol Usage in Programming
Gleichheitszeichen Equals sign = Assignment of values, comparison in JavaScript (==)
Doppelgleichheitszeichen Double equals == Comparison operator in JavaScript (non-strict)
Dreifachgleichheitszeichen Triple equals === Strict comparison in JavaScript/TypeScript
Ungleichheitszeichen Not equal sign != Non-strict inequality operator
Striktes Ungleichheitszeichen Strict not equal !== Strict inequality in JavaScript/TypeScript
Größer als Greater than > Greater than comparison operator
Kleiner als Less than < Less than comparison operator
Größer gleich Greater than or equal to >= Greater than or equal to comparison
Kleiner gleich Less than or equal to <= Less than or equal to comparison
Pluszeichen Plus sign + Addition, string concatenation
Minuszeichen Minus sign - Subtraction, negation
Malzeichen Asterisk/Multiplication sign * Multiplication
Divisionszeichen Slash / Division
Modulozeichen Modulus/Percent sign % Modulo operation (remainder)
Und-Operator Logical AND && Logical AND operator
Nicht-Operator Logical NOT ! Logical NOT operator
Inkrement Increment ++ Increments the value of a variable by 1
Dekrement Decrement -- Decrements the value of a variable by 1
Pfeilfunktion Arrow function => Defines an arrow function in JavaScript/TypeScript
Punkt Dot/Period . Access object methods/properties
Doppelpunkt-notation Colon notation :: Method reference in Java, accessing props in React
Doppelpunkt Double colon :: Method reference in Java
Fragezeichen-Punkt-Operator Optional chaining ?. Safely access nested objects without errors if undefined
Geschweifte Klammern Curly braces {} Block definition, object literals, JSX elements in React
Eckige Klammern Square brackets [] Array declarations, accessing array elements
Runde Klammern Parentheses () Function calls, grouping
Backticks Backticks ` Template literals for strings in JavaScript
Tilde Tilde ~ Bitwise NOT
Doppelte Backslash Double backslash \\ Escape sequences in strings
Schrägstrich Forward slash / Paths, division, regular expressions
Doppelschrägstrich Double slash // Single-line comments in JavaScript, Java, TypeScript
Blockkommentar Block comment /* */ Block comments in JavaScript, Java, TypeScript
Dollarzeichen Dollar sign $ Placeholder in template literals, referencing in jQuery
Fragezeichen Question mark ? Ternary operator, optional types in TypeScript
Doppelpfeil Double arrow => Arrow functions in JavaScript/TypeScript
Doppeltes Und Double ampersand && Logical AND, short-circuit evaluation
Verknüpfungspunkt Dot/Chain operator . Chains properties or methods
Instanceof Operator Instanceof Operator instanceof Checks if an object is of a specific type

Why This Table Matters

Switching between languages while coding can be tricky. Sometimes, you might know the symbol's function, but its name in another language escapes you. This table helps bridge that gap, making it easier for you to communicate effectively in a bilingual environment. Whether you're reading code comments in German or explaining something to a colleague in English, this table has got you covered.

Understanding these symbols in both languages not only enhances your coding fluency but also helps you adapt to international teams and projects more efficiently.

Feel free to add more in the comment section and bookmark this page :)

Happy coding, and don't let language barriers hold you back!

Top comments (6)

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easypagego profile image
EasyPageGO

This is very cool! What about Instanceof Operator?

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be11amer profile image
Bellamer

Ähmmm, vllt Instanz-von-Operator ?? 🫣

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lexlohr profile image
Alex Lohr • Edited

It's usually "Doppelpunkt" without the "e" at the end (in both cases). Also, it's "Doppeltes UND".

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be11amer profile image
Bellamer

Edited. thx!

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didof profile image
Francesco Di Donato

I had skipped my daily German study, does this count as such? :D Cool article btw

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respect17 profile image
Kudzai Murimi

Great stuff, go deeper!