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Operators

Introduction

In C++, an operator is a special symbol that is used to perform specific operations on one, two, or three operands (data). C++ provides a rich set of operators which can be classified into the following types:

  • Arithmetic Operators
  • Relational Operators
  • Logical Operators
  • Bitwise Operators
  • Assignment Operators
  • Miscellaneous Operators

Let's take a closer look at these categories.

Arithmetic Operators​

Arithmetic Operators are used to perform mathematical calculations. They include:

  • Addition (+)
  • Subtraction (-)
  • Multiplication (*)
  • Division (/)
  • Modulus Operator (%)
  • Increment Operator (++)
  • Decrement Operator (--)
int a = 10, b = 4;
cout << "a + b = " << a + b;
cout << "a - b = " << a - b;
cout << "a * b = " << a * b;
cout << "a / b = " << a / b;
cout << "a % b = " << a % b;

Relational Operators​

Relational Operators are used to compare two values. They include:

  • Equal to (==)
  • Not equal to (!=)
  • Greater than (>)
  • Less than (<)
  • Greater than or equal to (>=)
  • Less than or equal to (<=)
int a = 10, b = 4;
cout << "(a == b) = " << (a == b);
cout << "(a != b) = " << (a != b);
cout << "(a > b) = " << (a > b);
cout << "(a < b) = " << (a < b);
cout << "(a >= b) = " << (a >= b);
cout << "(a <= b) = " << (a <= b);

Logical Operators​

Logical Operators are used to combine two or more conditions/constraints or to complement the evaluation of the original condition in consideration. They include:

  • Logical AND (&&)
  • Logical OR (||)
  • Logical NOT (!)
int a = 10, b = 4, c = 20;
cout << ((a > b) && (b < c));
cout << ((a > b) || (b > c));
cout << (!(a > b));

Bitwise Operators​

Bitwise operators are used to perform bitwise operations on bits. They include:

  • Bitwise AND (&)
  • Bitwise OR (|)
  • Bitwise XOR (^)
  • Bitwise NOT (~)
  • Left shift (<<)
  • Right shift (>>)
int a = 10, b = 4;
cout << "a & b = " << (a & b);
cout << "a | b = " << (a | b);
cout << "a ^ b = " << (a ^ b);
cout << "~a = " << (~a);
cout << "a << b = " << (a << b);
cout << "a >> b = " << (a >> b);

Assignment Operators​

C++ provides a set of assignment operators to assign a value to a variable. They include:

  • Simple assignment (=)
  • Add and assignment (+=)
  • Subtract and assignment (-=)
  • Multiply and assignment (*=)
  • Divide and assignment (/=)
  • Modulo and assignment (%=)
  • Left shift and assignment (<<=)
  • Right shift and assignment (>>=)
  • Bitwise AND and assignment (&=)
  • Bitwise XOR and assignment (^=)
  • Bitwise OR and assignment (|=)
int a = 10;
a += 20;
cout << "a = " << a;

Miscellaneous Operators​

Some other important operators in C++ include:

  • Sizeof operator
  • Conditional operator (Ternary operator)
  • Comma operator
  • Pointer operators (dereference and address-of operators)
int a = 10;
cout << "Size of a = " << sizeof(a);
cout << "a is " << ((a > 5) ? "greater" : "smaller") << " than 5";

Understanding and using operators correctly is fundamental to building effective C++ applications. Through practice, you will become more comfortable with using these operators to perform a variety of tasks in your code.