operators and assignments in java

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Operators are used to perform operations on variables and values.

In the example below, we use the + operator to add together two values:

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Although the + operator is often used to add together two values, like in the example above, it can also be used to add together a variable and a value, or a variable and another variable:

Java divides the operators into the following groups:

• Arithmetic operators
• Assignment operators
• Comparison operators
• Logical operators
• Bitwise operators

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are used to perform common mathematical operations.

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Java Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables.

In the example below, we use the assignment operator ( = ) to assign the value 10 to a variable called x :

The addition assignment operator ( += ) adds a value to a variable:

A list of all assignment operators:

Java Comparison Operators

Comparison operators are used to compare two values (or variables). This is important in programming, because it helps us to find answers and make decisions.

The return value of a comparison is either true or false . These values are known as Boolean values , and you will learn more about them in the Booleans and If..Else chapter.

In the following example, we use the greater than operator ( > ) to find out if 5 is greater than 3:

Java Logical Operators

You can also test for true or false values with logical operators.

Logical operators are used to determine the logic between variables or values:

Java Bitwise Operators

Bitwise operators are used to perform binary logic with the bits of an integer or long integer.

Note: The Bitwise examples above use 4-bit unsigned examples, but Java uses 32-bit signed integers and 64-bit signed long integers. Because of this, in Java, ~5 will not return 10. It will return -6. ~00000000000000000000000000000101 will return 11111111111111111111111111111010

In Java, 9 >> 1 will not return 12. It will return 4. 00000000000000000000000000001001 >> 1 will return 00000000000000000000000000000100

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Operators are symbols that perform operations on variables and values. For example, + is an operator used for addition, while * is also an operator used for multiplication.

Operators in Java can be classified into 5 types:

• Arithmetic Operators
• Assignment Operators
• Relational Operators
• Logical Operators
• Unary Operators
• Bitwise Operators

1. Java Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are used to perform arithmetic operations on variables and data. For example,

Here, the + operator is used to add two variables a and b . Similarly, there are various other arithmetic operators in Java.

Example 1: Arithmetic Operators

In the above example, we have used + , - , and * operators to compute addition, subtraction, and multiplication operations.

/ Division Operator

Note the operation, a / b in our program. The / operator is the division operator.

If we use the division operator with two integers, then the resulting quotient will also be an integer. And, if one of the operands is a floating-point number, we will get the result will also be in floating-point.

% Modulo Operator

The modulo operator % computes the remainder. When a = 7 is divided by b = 4 , the remainder is 3 .

Note : The % operator is mainly used with integers.

2. Java Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used in Java to assign values to variables. For example,

Here, = is the assignment operator. It assigns the value on its right to the variable on its left. That is, 5 is assigned to the variable age .

Let's see some more assignment operators available in Java.

Example 2: Assignment Operators

3. java relational operators.

Relational operators are used to check the relationship between two operands. For example,

Here, < operator is the relational operator. It checks if a is less than b or not.

It returns either true or false .

Example 3: Relational Operators

Note : Relational operators are used in decision making and loops.

4. Java Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to check whether an expression is true or false . They are used in decision making.

Example 4: Logical Operators

Working of Program

• (5 > 3) && (8 > 5) returns true because both (5 > 3) and (8 > 5) are true .
• (5 > 3) && (8 < 5) returns false because the expression (8 < 5) is false .
• (5 < 3) || (8 > 5) returns true because the expression (8 > 5) is true .
• (5 > 3) || (8 < 5) returns true because the expression (5 > 3) is true .
• (5 < 3) || (8 < 5) returns false because both (5 < 3) and (8 < 5) are false .
• !(5 == 3) returns true because 5 == 3 is false .
• !(5 > 3) returns false because 5 > 3 is true .

5. Java Unary Operators

Unary operators are used with only one operand. For example, ++ is a unary operator that increases the value of a variable by 1 . That is, ++5 will return 6 .

Different types of unary operators are:

• Increment and Decrement Operators

Java also provides increment and decrement operators: ++ and -- respectively. ++ increases the value of the operand by 1 , while -- decrease it by 1 . For example,

Here, the value of num gets increased to 6 from its initial value of 5 .

Example 5: Increment and Decrement Operators

In the above program, we have used the ++ and -- operator as prefixes (++a, --b) . We can also use these operators as postfix (a++, b++) .

There is a slight difference when these operators are used as prefix versus when they are used as a postfix.

To learn more about these operators, visit increment and decrement operators .

6. Java Bitwise Operators

Bitwise operators in Java are used to perform operations on individual bits. For example,

Here, ~ is a bitwise operator. It inverts the value of each bit ( 0 to 1 and 1 to 0 ).

The various bitwise operators present in Java are:

These operators are not generally used in Java. To learn more, visit Java Bitwise and Bit Shift Operators .

Other operators

Besides these operators, there are other additional operators in Java.

The instanceof operator checks whether an object is an instanceof a particular class. For example,

Here, str is an instance of the String class. Hence, the instanceof operator returns true . To learn more, visit Java instanceof .

The ternary operator (conditional operator) is shorthand for the if-then-else statement. For example,

Here's how it works.

• If the Expression is true , expression1 is assigned to the variable .
• If the Expression is false , expression2 is assigned to the variable .

Let's see an example of a ternary operator.

In the above example, we have used the ternary operator to check if the year is a leap year or not. To learn more, visit the Java ternary operator .

Now that you know about Java operators, it's time to know about the order in which operators are evaluated. To learn more, visit Java Operator Precedence .

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Java Arithmetic Operators
• Java Assignment Operators
• Java Relational Operators
• Java Logical Operators
• Java Unary Operators
• Java Bitwise Operators

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Java provides many types of operators to perform a variety of calculations and functions, such as logical , arithmetic , relational , and others. With so many operators to choose from, it helps to group them based on the type of functionality they provide. This programming tutorial will focus on Java’s numerous a ssignment operators.

Before we begin, however, you may want to bookmark our other tutorials on Java operators, which include:

• Arithmetic Operators
• Comparison Operators
• Conditional Operators
• Logical Operators
• Bitwise and Shift Operators

Assignment Operators in Java

As the name conveys, assignment operators are used to assign values to a variable using the following syntax:

The left side operand of the assignment operator must be a variable, whereas the right side operand of the assignment operator may be a literal value or another variable. Moreover, the value or variable on the right side must be of the same data type of the operand on the left side. Otherwise, the compiler will raise an error. Assignment operators have a right to left associativity in that the value given on the right-hand side of the operator is assigned to the variable on the left. Therefore, the right-hand side variable must be declared before assignment.

You can learn more about variables in our programming tutorial: Working with Java Variables .

Types of Assignment Operators in Java

Java assignment operators are classified into two types: simple and compound .

The Simple assignment operator is the equals ( = ) sign, which is the most straightforward of the bunch. It simply assigns the value or variable on the right to the variable on the left.

Compound operators are comprised of both an arithmetic, bitwise, or shift operator in addition to the equals ( = ) sign.

Equals Operator (=) Java Example

First, let’s learn to use the one-and-only simple assignment operator – the Equals ( = ) operator – with the help of a Java program. It includes two assignments: a literal value to num1 and the num1 variable to num2 , after which both are printed to the console to show that the values have been assigned to the numbers:

The += Operator Java Example

A compound of the + and = operators, the += adds the current value of the variable on the left to the value on the right before assigning the result to the operand on the left. Here is some sample code to demonstrate how to use the += operator in Java:

The -= Operator Java Example

Made up of the – and = operators, the -= first subtracts the variable’s value on the right from the current value of the variable on the left before assigning the result to the operand on the left. We can see it at work below in the following code example showing how to decrement in Java using the -= operator:

The *= Operator Java Example

This Java operator is comprised of the * and = operators. It operates by multiplying the current value of the variable on the left to the value on the right and then assigning the result to the operand on the left. Here’s a program that shows the *= operator in action:

The /= Operator Java Example

A combination of the / and = operators, the /= Operator divides the current value of the variable on the left by the value on the right and then assigns the quotient to the operand on the left. Here is some example code showing how to use the  /= operator in Java:

%= Operator Java Example

The %= operator includes both the % and = operators. As seen in the program below, it divides the current value of the variable on the left by the value on the right and then assigns the remainder to the operand on the left:

Compound Bitwise and Shift Operators in Java

The Bitwise and Shift Operators that we just recently covered can also be utilized in compound form as seen in the list below:

• &= – Compound bitwise Assignment operator.
• ^= – Compound bitwise ^ assignment operator.
• >>= – Compound right shift assignment operator.
• >>>= – Compound right shift filled 0 assignment operator.
• <<= – Compound left shift assignment operator.

The following program demonstrates the working of all the Compound Bitwise and Shift Operators :

Final Thoughts on Java Assignment Operators

This programming tutorial presented an overview of Java’s simple and compound assignment Operators. An essential building block to any programming language, developers would be unable to store any data in their programs without them. Though not quite as indispensable as the equals operator, compound operators are great time savers, allowing you to perform arithmetic and bitwise operations and assignment in a single line of code.

Read more Java programming tutorials and guides to software development .

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Java Operators: A Detailed Exploration

Welcome to this comprehensive guide on Java operators. Operators are special symbols that perform specific operations on operands and return a result. In Java, we have various types of operators to perform operations like arithmetic, assignment, comparison, logical, bitwise and more.

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are used to perform basic mathematical operations. These include:

• Addition ( + )
• Subtraction ( - )
• Multiplication ( * )
• Division ( / )
• Modulus (Remainder after division) ( % )

Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. The simple assignment operator is = . Java also combines other operators with the simple assignment operator to provide compound assignment operators like += , -= , *= , /= , %= , &= , |= , ^= , >>= , <<= , and >>>= .

Comparison (Relational) Operators

Comparison operators are used to compare values and return either true or false . These include:

• Equal to ( == )
• Not equal to ( != )
• Greater than ( > )
• Less than ( < )
• Greater than or equal to ( >= )
• Less than or equal to ( <= )

Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to combine two or more conditions. They return a boolean value – true or false . The logical operators include:

• Logical AND ( && )
• Logical OR ( || )
• Logical NOT ( ! )

Bitwise Operators

Bitwise operators perform operations on the binary representations of integers. These include:

• Bitwise AND ( & )
• Bitwise OR ( | )
• Bitwise XOR ( ^ )
• Bitwise complement ( ~ )
• Left shift ( << )
• Right shift ( >> )
• Zero fill right shift ( >>> )

Ternary Operator

The ternary operator, also known as the conditional operator, is used to make a decision based on two different conditions. It's a shorthand version of an if-else statement.

Syntax: variable = expression ? value if true : value if false

Increment and Decrement Operators

Java also provides increment ( ++ ) and decrement ( -- ) operators which are extensively used in loops and array operations. They can be used in postfix and prefix formats:

• Postfix ( a++ or a-- ) : First, the expression is evaluated, and then the value of operand is either incremented or decremented.
• Prefix ( ++a or --a ) : The value of operand is first incremented or decremented, and then the expression is evaluated.

Instanceof Operator

The instanceof operator is used to check whether an object is an instance of a particular class or interface. It returns true if the object is an instance of the specified class or interface; otherwise, it returns false .

Type Cast Operator

Java allows us to cast variables from one type to another. If you want to assign a value of one type to a variable of another type, you must perform a type cast.

Here, we cast the double variable a to an int. Note that type casting can lead to data loss (as in this example, where we lose the .3 after casting).

Operator Precedence

Java follows a specific order of operations, called operator precedence, which determines the order in which operations are performed in an expression. It's important to understand this order to avoid any confusion or mistakes in more complex expressions. For example, multiplication and division have higher precedence than addition and subtraction.

Operator Overloading

Java does not support operator overloading like some other programming languages, such as C++ or Python. Operator overloading is the ability to redefine the functionality of an operator depending on its operands. However, the + and += operators are internally overloaded in Java to perform both arithmetic operations and string concatenation.

Equality and Relational Operators

Java has special operators for comparing object equality:

• The == operator can be used with objects and checks if both are the exact same object. Two different objects with the same content are not equal.
• The equals() method checks if the two objects have the same value. By default, it behaves the same as the == operator. However, many classes override it. For example, the String class overrides the equals() method, so it checks if two strings have the same value, not whether they are the same object.

Boolean Logical Operators

In addition to the regular logical operators ( && , || ), Java also provides bitwise logical operators ( & , | ) which can operate on boolean operands. Unlike && and || , these do not short-circuit, meaning they evaluate both operands regardless of the first operand's value.

Java offers a variety of operators to perform different operations, making it a flexible and powerful programming language. Understanding these operators, how and when to use them, will significantly improve your efficiency in writing Java code. Always be mindful of the type of operator you're using and ensure it's the right tool for the operation you wish to perform. Happy coding!

Exploring Operators in Java 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Java’s Fundamental Building Blocks

• Post author: Piyush
• Post published: 31 August 2023
• Post category: Java
• Post comments: 0 Comments

I. Introduction to Operators in Java

Operators in java are essential components in programming languages. They serve as the building blocks of various operations and calculations. In Java, operators are crucial for performing tasks such as arithmetic operations, comparison of values, logical evaluations, and bit manipulations. By understanding and mastering operators, Java developers can write efficient and powerful code.

Contents of Operators in Java

Ii. arithmetic operators.

Arithmetic operators in Java allow for basic mathematical operations. These operators include addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/). Understanding the order of execution and precedence is crucial to accurately perform calculations involving multiple operators. Java also provides the modulus operator (%) which calculates the remainder of a division operation. Additionally, the increment (++) and decrement (–) operators are used to increase or decrease values by one. It is important to comprehend operator precedence and associativity to ensure correct execution of mathematical expressions involving multiple operators.

III. Relational Operators

Relational operators in Java are used to compare values ​​and determine relationships between values. Equality and inequality operators, represented by == and != respectively, allow for the comparison of equality or inequality between two operands. Comparison operators such as <, >, <=, and >= enable the evaluation of greater than, less than, greater than or equal, and less than or equal relationships respectively. Relational operators return boolean results, which are commonly used in conditional statements to determine the flow of the program. Furthermore, these operators can also be used for string comparisons, providing flexibility for string handling in Java.

IV. Logical Operators

Logical operators in Java are fundamental in decision-making and logical evaluations. The logical (&&) AND operator returns true only if both operands are true. Similarly, the logical OR operator (||) returns true if at least one of the operands is true. The logical (!) NOT operator negates the value of its operand. These operators are commonly used to combine multiple conditions and control program flow based on the outcomes. Java’s logical operators also support short-circuit evaluation, which allows for efficient execution by evaluating operands only when necessary.

V. Bitwise Operators

Bitwise operators in Java manipulate individual bits within binary representations of data. These operators include bitwise (&) AND, bitwise (|) OR, bitwise (^) XOR, and bitwise (~) NOT. They are useful in low-level programming, dealing with hardware interactions, and efficient data manipulation. Understanding the bitwise operators and their practical applications are essential for programmers working on tasks that involve bit-level calculations or data compression techniques.

VI. Assignment Operators

Assignment operators in Java are used to assign values to variables. The basic assignment operator (=) assigns the value on the right-hand side to the variable on the left-hand side. In addition to the basic operator, Java provides compound assignment operators such as +=, -=, *=, /=, and %= which combine arithmetic operations and assignment in a concise manner. These shortcut operators enhance code readability and reduce the need for repetitive code blocks when performing multiple calculations on the same variable.

VII. Conditional Operator (Ternary Operator)

The conditional operator (also known as the ternary operator) in Java provides a concise alternative to if-else statements. Its syntax is in the form of condition ? expression1 : expression2. The condition is evaluated, and if it is true, expression1 is executed; otherwise, expression2 is executed. Proper usage of the conditional operator can result in more concise and readable code, especially when dealing with simple conditional assignments or calculations.

VIII. Instanceof Operator

In Java, instanceof operator is used to check the type of an object at runtime. It returns true if the given object is an instance of the specified type or any of its subclasses. This operator is particularly useful when working with polymorphism and class hierarchies. It helps ensure type compatibility, enabling developers to effectively handle type conversions and implement appropriate logic based on the object’s actual type.

IX. Bit Shift Operators

Bit shift operators in Java are used to shift the bits of a value either to the left or to the right. The left shift operator (<<) moves the bits to the left, effectively multiplying the value by 2 for each shift. The right shift operator (>>) moves the bits to the right, effectively dividing the value by 2 for each shift. Java also provides the logical right shift operator (>>>), which fills the leftmost bits with zeroes. Bit shifting is commonly used in tasks involving binary data manipulation, creating efficient algorithms, and implementing encryption techniques.

X. Operator Precedence and Associativity

In Java, operator precedence and associativity determine the order in which operators are evaluated. It is crucial to understand these concepts to avoid unexpected behaviors and to write code that accurately reflects the intended logic. Java follows specific rules for operator precedence and associativity, which developers should be familiar with. Additionally, having a quick-reference table of operator precedence can be immensely helpful during code development and debugging processes.

XI. Operator Overloading

Operator overloading is a feature in some programming languages that allows operators to behave differently based on the types of operands. However, this feature is not supported in Java. Unlike languages such as C++, Java does not allow developers to define new meanings for operators or extend their behavior beyond their predefined functionality. This constraint encourages developers to rely on established conventions and alternative design patterns for achieving the desired functionality.

XII. Operator Conventions and Best Practices

Adhering to established conventions and best practices in writing Java code helps improve readability and maintainability. When using operators, it is essential to follow established conventions such as proper indentation, consistent spacing, and the use of parentheses to clarify the order of operations. Code should be written in a way that promotes clarity and avoids unnecessary complexity or side effects. By maintaining a consistent and readable coding style, collaboration and further development become easier tasks.

XIII. Common Operator Pitfalls and Errors

Working with operators in Java can sometimes lead to pitfalls and errors if not handled carefully. Understanding and anticipating common mistakes can help developers avoid these issues. Some common pitfalls include operator precedence mistakes, incorrectly using logical operators, or misunderstanding the behavior of specific operators. When encountering operator-related errors, developers should leverage debugging techniques and use error handling strategies to identify and resolve issues effectively.

XIV: Performance Considerations and Optimizations

The choice of operators in Java can have performance implications. Understanding the performance characteristics of different operators is vital for writing efficient code. By analyzing how specific operators interact with the underlying hardware and optimizing code accordingly, developers can significantly improve program performance. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between code readability and performance trade-offs. Careful consideration should be given to optimizing critical sections of the code while maintaining overall code quality.

XV. Advanced Operator Techniques

As developers gain mastery over operators, they can explore advanced techniques that combine operators intelligently to perform complex operations. By creatively leveraging bitwise operators, for example, developers can achieve specific needs such as implementing custom data structures, optimizing memory usage, and creating efficient algorithms. Advanced examples showcasing the versatility of operators provide valuable insights into harnessing the full potential of operators in Java.

XVI. Summary and Key Takeaways

In summary, operators are fundamental building blocks in Java programming. They serve various purposes, including arithmetic calculations, comparison of values, logical evaluations, and bit manipulations. Understanding and mastering operators is crucial for efficient development and accurate execution of code. By applying the knowledge gained from this comprehensive guide, developers can confidently work with operators and leverage their power for writing high-quality Java code.

• Operators in Java are symbols that represent actions or computations. They can perform functions such as arithmetic calculations, value comparisons, logical evaluations, and bit manipulations.
• Java has various types of operators, including arithmetic operators, relational operators, logical operators, bitwise operators, assignment operators, the conditional operator, the instanceof operator, and the bit shift operators.
• Operators in Java have different levels of precedence, which determine the order in which they are evaluated. Parentheses can be used to override the default precedence and control the order of execution.
• No, you cannot overload operators in Java. Unlike some programming languages, Java does not allow developers to redefine the behavior of operators or create new operator meanings.
• Common pitfalls when using operators in Java include incorrect operator precedence, misuse of logical operators, and misunderstanding specific operator behaviors. These issues can be avoided through careful understanding and following established best practices.

XVIII. Conclusion

Operators play a vital role in Java programming, serving as the fundamental building blocks for various operations and calculations. Through this comprehensive guide, readers have gained insights into different types of operators, their functionalities, and best practices for utilizing them effectively. Mastering operators empowers Java developers to write efficient and powerful code, paving the way for efficient development and successful software projects. It is essential to continue exploring operators, experimenting with different techniques, and practicing their usage to continually enhance programming skills and deliver high-quality Java applications.

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Assignment operators in java: an overview.

We already discussed the Types of Operators in the previous tutorial Java. In this Java tutorial , we will delve into the different types of assignment operators in Java, and their syntax, and provide examples for better understanding. Because Java is a flexible and widely used programming language. Assignment operators play a crucial role in manipulating and assigning values to variables. To further enhance your understanding and application of Java assignment operator's concepts, consider enrolling in the best Java Certification Course .

What are the Assignment Operators in Java?

Assignment operators in Java are used to assign values to variables . They are classified into two main types: simple assignment operator and compound assignment operator.

The general syntax for a simple assignment statement is:

And for a compound assignment statement:

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Types of Assignment Operators in Java

• Simple Assignment Operator: The Simple Assignment Operator is used with the "=" sign, where the operand is on the left side and the value is on the right. The right-side value must be of the same data type as that defined on the left side.
• Compound Assignment Operator:  Compound assignment operators combine arithmetic operations with assignments. They provide a concise way to perform an operation and assign the result to the variable in one step. The Compound Operator is utilized when +,-,*, and / are used in conjunction with the = operator.

1. Simple Assignment Operator (=):

The equal sign (=) is the basic assignment operator in Java. It is used to assign the value on the right-hand side to the variable on the left-hand side.

Explanation

2. addition assignment operator (+=) :, 3. subtraction operator (-=):, 4. multiplication operator (*=):.

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5. Division Operator (/=):

6. modulus assignment operator (%=):, example of assignment operator in java.

Let's look at a few examples in our Java Playground to illustrate the usage of assignment operators in Java:

• Unary Operator in Java
• Arithmetic Operators in Java
• Relational Operators in Java
• Logical Operators in Java

Q1. Can I use multiple assignment operators in a single statement?

Q2. are there any other compound assignment operators in java, q3. how many types of assignment operators.

• 1. (=) operator
• 1. (+=) operator
• 2. (-=) operator
• 3. (*=) operator
• 4. (/=) operator
• 5. (%=) operator

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Previous in the Series: Using the Var Type Identifier

Next in the Series: Summary of Operators

Using Operators in Your Programs

Now that you have learned how to declare and initialize variables, you probably want to know how to do something with them. Learning the operators of the Java programming language is a good place to start. Operators are special symbols that perform specific operations on one, two, or three operands, and then return a result.

As we explore the operators of the Java programming language, it may be helpful for you to know ahead of time which operators have the highest precedence. The operators in the following table are listed according to precedence order. The closer to the top of the table an operator appears, the higher its precedence. Operators with higher precedence are evaluated before operators with relatively lower precedence. Operators on the same line have equal precedence. When operators of equal precedence appear in the same expression, a rule must govern which is evaluated first. All binary operators except for the assignment operators are evaluated from left to right; assignment operators are evaluated right to left.

In general-purpose programming, certain operators tend to appear more frequently than others; for example, the assignment operator = is far more common than the unsigned right shift operator >>> . With that in mind, the following discussion focuses first on the operators that you're most likely to use on a regular basis, and ends focusing on those that are less common. Each discussion is accompanied by sample code that you can compile and run. Studying its output will help reinforce what you've just learned.

The Simple Assignment Operator

One of the most common operators that you'll encounter is the simple assignment operator = . You saw this operator in the Bicycle class; it assigns the value on its right to the operand on its left:

This operator can also be used on objects to assign object references, as discussed in the section Creating Objects .

The Arithmetic Operators

The Java programming language provides operators that perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There is a good chance you will recognize them by their counterparts in basic mathematics. The only symbol that might look new to you is % , which divides one operand by another and returns the remainder as its result.

The following program, ArithmeticDemo , tests the arithmetic operators.

This program prints the following:

You can also combine the arithmetic operators with the simple assignment operator to create compound assignments. For example, x += 1; and x = x + 1; both increment the value of x by 1.

The + operator can also be used for concatenating (joining) two strings together, as shown in the following ConcatDemo program:

By the end of this program, the variable thirdString contains This is a concatenated string. , which gets printed to standard output.

The Unary Operators

The unary operators require only one operand; they perform various operations such as incrementing/decrementing a value by one, negating an expression, or inverting the value of a boolean.

The following program, UnaryDemo , tests the unary operators:

The increment/decrement operators can be applied before (prefix) or after (postfix) the operand. The code result++; and ++result; will both end in result being incremented by one. The only difference is that the prefix version ( ++result ) evaluates to the incremented value, whereas the postfix version ( result++ ) evaluates to the original value. If you are just performing a simple increment/decrement, it doesn't really matter which version you choose. But if you use this operator in part of a larger expression, the one that you choose may make a significant difference.

The following program, PrePostDemo , illustrates the prefix/postfix unary increment operator:

The Equality and Relational Operators

The equality and relational operators determine if one operand is greater than, less than, equal to, or not equal to another operand. The majority of these operators will probably look familiar to you as well. Keep in mind that you must use == , not = , when testing if two primitive values are equal.

The following program, ComparisonDemo , tests the comparison operators:

Running this program produces the following output:

The Conditional Operators

The && and || operators perform Conditional-AND and Conditional-OR operations on two boolean expressions. These operators exhibit "short-circuiting" behavior, which means that the second operand is evaluated only if needed.

The following program, ConditionalDemo1 , tests these operators:

Another conditional operator is ?: , which can be thought of as shorthand for an if-then-else statement (discussed in the Control Flow Statements section ). This operator is also known as the ternary operator because it uses three operands. In the following example, this operator should be read as: "If someCondition is true, assign the value of value1 to result. Otherwise, assign the value of value2 to result."

The following program, ConditionalDemo2 , tests the ?: operator:

Because someCondition is true, this program prints "1" to the screen. Use the ?: operator instead of an if-then-else statement if it makes your code more readable; for example, when the expressions are compact and without side-effects (such as assignments).

The Type Comparison Operator Instanceof

The instanceof operator compares an object to a specified type. You can use it to test if an object is an instance of a class, an instance of a subclass, or an instance of a class that implements a particular interface.

The following program, InstanceofDemo , defines a parent class (named Parent ), a simple interface (named MyInterface ), and a child class (named Child ) that inherits from the parent and implements the interface.

The following program produces the following output:

When using the instanceof operator, keep in mind that null is not an instance of anything.

Bitwise and Bit Shift Operators

The Java programming language also provides operators that perform bitwise and bit shift operations on integral types. The operators discussed in this section are less commonly used. Therefore, their coverage is brief; the intent is to simply make you aware that these operators exist.

The unary bitwise complement operator ~ inverts a bit pattern; it can be applied to any of the integral types, making every "0" a "1" and every "1" a "0". For example, a byte contains 8 bits; applying this operator to a value whose bit pattern is 00000000 would change its pattern to 11111111 .

The signed left shift operator << shifts a bit pattern to the left, and the signed right shift operator >> shifts a bit pattern to the right. The bit pattern is given by the left-hand operand, and the number of positions to shift by the right-hand operand. The unsigned right shift operator >>> shifts a zero into the leftmost position, while the leftmost position after >> depends on sign extension.

The bitwise & operator performs a bitwise AND operation.

The bitwise ^ operator performs a bitwise exclusive OR operation.

The bitwise | operator performs a bitwise inclusive OR operation.

The following program, BitDemo , uses the bitwise AND operator to print the number "2" to standard output.

In this tutorial

Last update: September 14, 2021

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Assignment Operators in Programming

Assignment operators in programming are symbols used to assign values to variables. They offer shorthand notations for performing arithmetic operations and updating variable values in a single step. These operators are fundamental in most programming languages and help streamline code while improving readability.

Table of Content

What are Assignment Operators?

• Types of Assignment Operators
• Assignment Operators in C
• Assignment Operators in C++
• Assignment Operators in Java
• Assignment Operators in Python
• Assignment Operators in C#
• Assignment Operators in Javascript
• Application of Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used in programming to  assign values  to variables. We use an assignment operator to store and update data within a program. They enable programmers to store data in variables and manipulate that data. The most common assignment operator is the equals sign ( = ), which assigns the value on the right side of the operator to the variable on the left side.

Types of Assignment Operators:

• Simple Assignment Operator ( = )
• Addition Assignment Operator ( += )
• Subtraction Assignment Operator ( -= )
• Multiplication Assignment Operator ( *= )
• Division Assignment Operator ( /= )
• Modulus Assignment Operator ( %= )

Below is a table summarizing common assignment operators along with their symbols, description, and examples:

Assignment Operators in C:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in C language:

Assignment Operators in C++:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in C++ language:

Assignment Operators in Java:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in java language:

Assignment Operators in Python:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in python language:

Assignment Operators in C#:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in C# language:

Assignment Operators in Javascript:

Here are the implementation of Assignment Operator in javascript language:

Application of Assignment Operators:

• Variable Initialization : Setting initial values to variables during declaration.
• Mathematical Operations : Combining arithmetic operations with assignment to update variable values.
• Loop Control : Updating loop variables to control loop iterations.
• Conditional Statements : Assigning different values based on conditions in conditional statements.
• Function Return Values : Storing the return values of functions in variables.
• Data Manipulation : Assigning values received from user input or retrieved from databases to variables.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, assignment operators in programming are essential tools for assigning values to variables and performing operations in a concise and efficient manner. They allow programmers to manipulate data and control the flow of their programs effectively. Understanding and using assignment operators correctly is fundamental to writing clear, efficient, and maintainable code in various programming languages.

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The Java Tutorials have been written for JDK 8. Examples and practices described in this page don't take advantage of improvements introduced in later releases and might use technology no longer available. See Java Language Changes for a summary of updated language features in Java SE 9 and subsequent releases. See JDK Release Notes for information about new features, enhancements, and removed or deprecated options for all JDK releases.

Summary of Operators

The following quick reference summarizes the operators supported by the Java programming language.

Simple Assignment Operator

Arithmetic operators, unary operators, equality and relational operators, conditional operators, type comparison operator, bitwise and bit shift operators.

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Arithmetic and Assignment Operators Explained in Java

We promise these Arithmetic and Assignment Operators are more fun than the ones you used in Algebra II.

Arithmetic operators allow you to perform algebraic arithmetic in programming. That is, they enable you to add, subtract, divide and multiply numbers.

This article will also cover assignment operators. These enable you to give (assign) a certain value to a variable.

This tutorial is not just for Java programmers. Many other programming languages like C and Python use these same operators. Therefore, you can easily transfer and apply the knowledge you gain here.

Arithmetic Operators

There are 5 arithmetic operators in Java—the table below summarizes them.

The symbols ( + , - , / ) should seem familiar. That's because they're the same as those typically used in algebra.

It's important to take note that the division operator ( / ) refers to integer division here. That is, 19/5 will evaluate to 3 . Any fractional part that results from this computation is truncated.

Related: What Is a Constructor in Java and How Do You Use It?

You should have also noticed that the Java operator for multiplication is an asterisk ( * ) and not the usual multiplication symbol ( × ).

To get the modulus of two integers, Java uses the % symbol. The example given in the table is similar to the algebraic expression: y mod 3 . The % operator gives the remainder after y is divided by 3 . That is, 19%5 will evaluate to 4 .

It's good practice to use parentheses for grouping subexpressions. This eases readability and helps to avoid logic and syntax errors.

When you have multiple arithmetic operators in one expression, Java uses the rules of operator precedence to determine which subexpressions to evaluate first.

The table below categorizes the levels of operator precedence.

The operators ( * , / , % ) have the highest level of precedence, then followed by ( + , - ) and finally ( = ). The operators ( * , / , % ), and ( + , - ) all associate from left to right. This simply means that their evaluation begins from the leftmost operator.

The third operator ( = ) associates from right to left. So if have x=3 , that means 3 is assigned to x , and not x is assigned to 3.

Assignment Operators

The assignment operator ( = ) assigns a value to a variable.

The above expression adds 7 to y and then assigns the final result to y . If you're new to programming, this expression might seem a little weird. This shouldn't bother you as the compiler will understand what you're trying to do.

Compound Assignment

You can simplify the way you express an assignment by using a compound assignment operator.

In the previous example, we could've simply written:

See the table below on how you can use compound assignment operators.

Increment & Decrement Operators

If you have the compound assignment +=1 , you can simply write it as ++ . This is known as the "increment operator". Similarly, the decrement operator is -- .

Related: How to Write a for Loop in Java

When used before the operand, the increment and decrement operators are known as "prefix operators". And when used after the operand, they're called "postfix operators".

With prefix, the variable being operated on is first modified and then used while with postfix, the initial value before modification is used.

Generally, both postfix and prefix operators yield the same answer. It's only when dealing with large expressions that the answer may change.

Make Operators Work For You

It's important to note that increment and decrement operators only act on variables (e.g. x++ ) and not direct values (but not 5++ ). You should also not leave any whitespace while using increment and decrement operators, unlike with the operators before that. Doing so will give a compile-time error.

Always use parentheses when possible to logically group expressions. This will avoid unnecessary logic errors.

With these operators under your belt, understanding how to use access modifiers in Java will be a piece of cake.