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Operators in C++
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In C++, an operator is a symbol that operates on a value to perform specific

mathematical or logical computations on given values. They are the foundation
of any programming language.

Example:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {

int a = 10 + 20;

cout << a;
return 0;
}

Output

30

Explanation: Here, ‘+‘ is an addition operator and does the addition of 10 and
20 operands and return value 30 as a result.

In C++, operators are classified into 6 types on the basis of type of operation
they perform:

Table of Content
Arithmetic Operators
Relational Operators
Logical Operators
Bitwise Operators
Assignment Operators
Ternary or Conditional Operators

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1. Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic operators are used to perform arithmetic or mathematical
operations on the operands. For example, ‘+’ is used for addition.

Name Symbol Description

Addition + Adds two operands.

Subtraction – Subtracts second operand from the first.

Multiplication * Multiplies two operands.

Division / Divides first operand by the second operand.

Modulo Operation % Returns the remainder an integer division.

Increment Increase the value of operand by 1.

++

Decrement — Decrease the value of operand by 1.

Example:

#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int a = 8, b = 3;

// Addition
cout << "a + b = " << (a + b) << endl;

// Subtraction
cout << "a - b = " << (a - b) << endl;

// Multiplication
cout << "a * b = " << (a * b) << endl;

// Division
cout << "a / b = " << (a / b) << endl;

// Modulo
cout << "a % b = " << (a % b) << endl;

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// Increament
cout << "++a = " << ++a << endl;

// Decrement
cout << "--b = " << --b;

return 0;
}

Output

a + b = 11
a - b = 5
a * b = 24
a / b = 2
a % b = 2
++a = 9
--b = 2

Important Points:

The Modulo operator (%) operator should only be used with integers. Other
operators can also be used with floating point values.
++a and a++, both are increment operators, however, both are slightly
different. In ++a, the value of the variable is incremented first and then It is
used in the program. In a++, the value of the variable is assigned first and
then It is incremented. Similarly happens for the decrement operator.

You may have noticed that some operator works on two operands while other
work on one. On the basis of this operators are also classified as:

Unary: Works on single operand.

Binary: Works on two operands.
Ternary: Works on three operands.

2. Relational Operators
Relational operators are used for the comparison of the values of two
operands. For example, ‘>’ check right operand is greater.

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Name Symbol Description

Is Equal To == Checks both operands are equal

Greater Than Checks first operand is greater than the second

>
operand

Greater Than or Checks first operand is greater than equal to

>=
Equal To the second operand

Less Than Checks first operand is lesser than the second

<
operand

Less Than or Equal Checks first operand is lesser than equal to the
<=
To second operand

Not Equal To != Checks both operands are not equal

Example

#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int a = 6, b = 4;

// Equal operator
cout << "a == b is " << (a == b) << endl;

// Greater than operator

cout << "a > b is " << (a > b) << endl;

// Greater than Equal to operator

cout << "a >= b is " << (a >= b) << endl;

// Lesser than operator

cout << "a < b is " << (a < b) << endl;

// Lesser than Equal to operator

cout << "a <= b is " << (a <= b) << endl;

// Not equal to operator

cout << "a != b is " << (a != b);

return 0;
}

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Output

a == b is 0
a > b is 1
a >= b is 1
a < b is 0
a <= b is 0
a != b is 1

Note: 0 denotes false and 1 denotes true.

3. Logical Operators
Logical operators are used to combine two or more conditions or constraints or
to complement the evaluation of the original condition in consideration. The
result returns a Boolean value, i.e., true or false.

Name Symbol Description

Logical Returns true only if all the operands are true or non-
&&
AND zero.

Logical OR Returns true if either of the operands is true or non-

||
zero.

Logical NOT ! Returns true if the operand is false or zero.

Example:

#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
int a = 6, b = 4;

// Logical AND operator

cout << "a && b is " << (a && b) << endl;

// Logical OR operator
cout << "a || b is " << (a || b) << endl;
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// Logical NOT operator

cout << "!b is " << (!b);

return 0;
}

Output

a && b is 1
a || b is 1
!b is 0

4. Bitwise Operators
Bitwise operators are works on bit-level. So, compiler first converted to bit-
level and then the calculation is performed on the operands.

Name Symbol Description

Binary AND Copies a bit to the evaluated result if it exists in

&
both operands

Binary OR Copies a bit to the evaluated result if it exists in

|
any of the operand

Binary XOR Copies the bit to the evaluated result if it is present

^
in either of the operands but not both

Left Shift Shifts the value to left by the number of bits

<<
specified by the right operand.

Right Shift Shifts the value to right by the number of bits

>>
specified by the right operand.

One’s
~ Changes binary digits 1 to 0 and 0 to 1
Complement

Note: Only char and int data types can be used with Bitwise Operators.

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