Using "!=" operator for testing inequality instead of "<>" in Python 2

Question

As I know using "<>" is deprecated for using inequality and "!=" operator should be used for this purpose.

Is it just a style difference or there is a difference in functionality?

Answer 1

They are exactly the same, though <> is deprecated like you said:

<> and != are alternate spellings for the same operator. != is the preferred spelling; <> is obsolescent.