Operators in Java with Example | Java Basics Guide

Introduction to Operators in Java

In Java, operators are special symbols or keywords used to perform operations on variables and values. They are fundamental building blocks of any Java program, allowing developers to perform arithmetic, comparisons, logical operations, and more.

Understanding Java operators is crucial for writing efficient and bug-free code. In this article, we will explore various types of operators in Java along with practical examples.

Types of Operators in Java

Java provides a rich set of operators categorized into the following types:

1. Arithmetic Operators

2. Relational (Comparison) Operators

3. Logical Operators

4. Assignment Operators

5. Unary Operators

6. Bitwise Operators

7. Ternary Operator

Let’s understand each with examples.

1. Arithmetic Operators

These operators perform basic mathematical operations.

Example:

int a = 10, b = 3;
System.out.println("Addition: " + (a + b));       // 13
System.out.println("Modulus: " + (a % b));        // 1

2. Relational Operators

These are used to compare two values.

Example:

int a = 5, b = 10;
System.out.println(a > b);     // false
System.out.println(a <= b);    // true

3. Logical Operators

Used to perform logical operations, usually with boolean values.

Example:

boolean x = true, y = false;
System.out.println(x && y);  // false
System.out.println(x || y);  // true

4. Assignment Operators

Used to assign values to variables.

Example:

int a = 10;
a += 5;     // a = a + 5
System.out.println(a);  // 15

5. Unary Operators

Operate on a single operand.

Example:

int a = 5;
System.out.println(++a);  // 6 (pre-increment)
System.out.println(a--);  // 6 (post-decrement)

6. Bitwise Operators

Perform operations on individual bits of numbers.

Example:

int a = 5, b = 3;
System.out.println(a & b);  // 1
System.out.println(a << 1); // 10

7. Ternary Operator

Short-hand for if-else statement.

Example:

int a = 10, b = 20;
int max = (a > b) ? a : b;
System.out.println("Max: " + max); // 20

Conclusion

Understanding the different Java operators is essential for writing logic in your programs. Whether you are performing arithmetic, logical checks, or bitwise manipulations, Java operators make your code readable and efficient.

Keep practicing with different combinations and you'll gain better command over Java's operator system.

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between == and equals() in Java?
== checks reference equality, while equals() checks value equality (especially with objects).

Q2: Is += faster than using a = a + b?
They are functionally the same, but += is more concise and preferred for readability.