title: What does `<>` mean in Python?
body: <p>I'm trying to use in Python 3.3 an old library (dating from 2003!). When I import it, Python throws me an error because there are <code>&lt;&gt;</code> signs in the source file, e.g.:</p>
  
  <pre><code>if (cnum &lt; 1000 and nnum &lt;&gt; 1000 and ntext[-1] &lt;&gt; "s":
      ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I guess it's a now-abandoned sign in the language.</p>
  
  <p>What exactly does it mean, and which (more recent) sign should I replace it with?</p>