Problems with server side validation

Why do neither of these php statements on the server side validation action capture the fact that both emails are the same ? I'm sure the code is correct but....;

<? php
if ( $form->email = $form->email_orig ) {
  return false;
}
?>
<? php
if ( $form->data['email'] = $form->data['email_orig'] ) {
  return false;
}
?>

Debug output is

[email_orig] => [email]andy_syme@xxxxxx.com[/email]
[email] => [email]andy_syme@xxxxxx.com[/email]

Thanks in advance for any advice.

OK worked it out
<?php
NOT
<? php

DOH😶

Hi olaeblue,

And you need == in the if clauses too.

if ( $form->email == $form->email_orig ) {

Bob