return object of operator= overloading in c++

Question

What is the difference between returning *this or the given argument in implementation of operator= in C++? Is using one of them better or more useful? if yes, why?

 class Object {
 public:
 Object operator=(Object Obj) {
 return *this;
 }
 }

vs.

 class Object {
 public:
 Object operator=(Object Obj) {
 return Obj;
 }
 }

• PaulMcKenzie: You should be returning a reference to the current object, not a brand new object.
• Spencer: Does this answer your question? What is The Rule of Three?

Answer 1

X& operator=( X const& ) { return *this; } matches the semantics of = on an int. The other suggestions you gave do not. When in doubt match the semantics of int.