Operators enable operations to be performed on variables and values.
In the following example, we utilize the + operator to add together two values:
| int myNum = 100 + 50; |
While the + operator commonly adds together two values, as illustrated above, it can also combine a variable with a value or another variable.
| int sum1 = 100 + 50; // 150 (100 + 50) int sum2 = sum1 + 250; // 400 (150 + 250) int sum3 = sum2 + sum2; // 800 (400 + 400) |
In C, operators are categorized into the following groups:
Arithmetic operators are used to perform common mathematical operations.
|
Operator |
Name |
Description |
Example |
|
+ |
Addition |
Performs addition on two values. |
x + y |
|
– |
Subtraction |
Performs subtraction by subtracting one value from another. |
x – y |
|
* |
Multiplication |
Multiplies two values together. |
x * y |
|
/ |
Division |
Performs division by dividing one value by another. |
x / y |
|
% |
Modulus |
Returns the remainder of the division. |
x % y |
|
++ |
Increment |
Increments the value of a variable by 1. |
++x |
|
— |
Decrement |
Decrements the value of variable by 1. |
–x |
Assignment operators are utilized to assign values to variables.
In the following example, we employ the assignment operator (=) to assign the value 10 to a variable named x:
| int x = 10; |
The addition assignment operator (+=) adds a value to a variable:
| int x = 10; x += 5; |
Here’s a list of all assignment operators:
|
Operator |
Example |
Same As |
|
= |
x = 5 |
x = 5 |
|
+= |
x += 3 |
x = x + 3 |
|
-= |
x -= 3 |
x = x – 3 |
|
*= |
x *= 3 |
x = x * 3 |
|
/= |
x /= 3 |
x = x / 3 |
|
%= |
x %= 3 |
x = x % 3 |
|
&= |
x &= 3 |
x = x & 3 |
|
|= |
x |= 3 |
x = x | 3 |
|
^= |
x ^= 3 |
x = x ^ 3 |
|
>>= |
x >>= 3 |
x = x >> 3 |
|
<<= |
x <<= 3 |
x = x << 3 |
Comparison operators are employed to compare two values or variables. This is crucial in programming as it facilitates decision-making and finding solutions.
The result of a comparison operation is either 1 or 0, representing true (1) or false (0). These are known as Boolean values, and you’ll delve deeper into them in the Booleans and If..Else chapter.
In the subsequent example, we utilize the greater than operator (>) to determine if 5 is greater than 3:
| int x = 5; int y = 3; printf(“%d”, x > y); // returns 1 (true) because 5 is greater than 3 |
Here’s a list of all comparison operators:
|
Operator |
Name |
Example |
Description |
| == | Less than | x==y | Returns 1 if the values are equal. |
|
!= |
Not equal |
x!=y |
Returns 1 if the values are not equal. |
| > | Greater than | x>y | Returns 1 if the first value is greater than the second value. |
|
< |
Less than |
x<y |
Returns 1 if the first value is less than the second value. |
| >= | Greater than or equal to | x>=y | Returns if the first value is greater than or equal to the same value. |
|
<= |
Less than or equal to |
x<=y |
Returns 1 if the first value is less than or equal to the second value. |
You can utilize logical operators to evaluate true or false conditions between variables or values.
Logical operators are employed to establish the relationship between variables or values in terms of logic.
|
Operator |
Name |
Example |
Description |
|
&& |
Logical and |
x < 5 && x < 10 |
Returns 1 when both statements are true. |
|
|| |
Logical or |
x < 5 || x < 4 |
Returns 1 if at least one of the statements is true. |
|
! |
Logical not |
!(x < 5 && x < 10) |
Inverts the outcome, yielding 0 if the result is 1. |
