def cmp_char(a, b):
    """Returns '<', '=', '>' depending on whether a < b, a = b, or a > b

    Examples
    --------
     >>> from misc_utils import cmp_char
     >>> cmp_char(1, 2)
     '<'
     >>> print('%d %s %d' % (1, cmp_char(1,2), 2))
     1 < 2

    Parameters
    ----------
    a
        Value to be compared
    b
        Value to be compared

    Returns
    -------
    {'<', '=', '>'}
        Character denoting the result of comparing `a` and `b`.
    """
    if a < b:
        return '<'
    elif a == b:
        return '='
    elif a > b:
        return '>'
    else:
        return '?'