Help with two Python operators

[Paul McDonald]

In the Web2py Application Development Cookbook:

 p82    the  &=  operators

if not form:

# search flatpage according to the current request

query = db.flatpage.c==request.controller

query &= db.flatpage.f==request.function     <-----  what is going on here?

if request.args:

query &= db.flatpage.args==request.args(0)

else:

query &= (db.flatpage.args==None)|(db.flatpage.args=='')

query &= db.flatpage.lang==lang

Alos, p69    the   |   bianary or operator

alphabetical = User.first_name|User.last_name        <------  what is going on here?  
 

  Can anyone explain what these are doing?
Thank you in advance


Paul
 

[Massimo Di Pierro]

   query &= db.flatpage.f==request.function

is the same as 

   query = query & (db.flatpage.f==request.function)

Build a query from another query

Instead

   alphabetical = User.first_name|User.last_name

is the same as 

   alphabetical = [User.first_name, User.last_name]

makes a list of fields to use for sorting.