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Operators in C++: Arithmetic, Relational, Logical, and More..

Operators in C++: Arithmetic, Relational, Logical, and More..

21 May 2024
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Operators in C++: An Overview

The operators in C++ programming act as potent instruments for data manipulation and control flow are its heart and soul. For any C++ programmer, understanding how these operators function is essential. We'll explain the main operator classifications and their importance in this condensed article. Join us in our C++ Tutorial to examine the fundamental ideas and real-world uses of operators in C++ programming.

What are Operators in C++ language?

Operators are special symbols used to perform various mathematical and logical operations on variables and symbols known as operands.

The application of operators varies depending on the context. So, it is important to understand how each type works to use them effectively when programming in C++ language.

Example

int a=10;
int b=40;
int c= a+b; 

Types of Operators in C++

C++ has a wide range of built-in operators that can be classified into various types according to their functionality.

Types of Operators in C++

We can further classify these operators based on the number of operands on which they operate. Now, let us go through all these operators in detail.

Arithmetic Operators

These operators perform basic mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. We will categorize the arithmetic operators into two categories based on the number of operands and then look at their functionality.
TypeOperatorName of OperatorFunctionality
Unary++IncrementIncreases the value by 1
- -DecrementDecreases the value by 1
+Unary plusNo change in the operand value
-Unary minuschanges the negative number to the positive and vice-versa
Binary+AdditionAdd two values
-SubtractionSubtracts one value from the other
*MultiplicationMultiplies two values
/DivisionDivides one by the other value
%ModulusFinds the remainder after division

Example to demonstrate Arithmetic Operators in C++


#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
 // Unary operators
 int x = 5, y = 6, z = 7, w = 8;
 cout << ++x << endl; // Increments the value of x
 cout << --y << endl; // Decrements the value of y
 cout << +z << endl; // Unary +
 cout << -w << endl; // Unary - on a positive number
 cout << -(-w) << endl; // Unary - on a negative number

 // Binary operators
 int a = 10, b = 3;
 int sum = a + b;
 int difference = a - b;
 int product = a * b;
 int quotient = a / b;
 int remainder = a % b;

 cout << "Sum: " << sum << endl;
 cout << "Difference: " << difference << endl;
 cout << "Product: " << product << endl;
 cout << "Quotient: " << quotient << endl;
 cout << "Remainder: " << remainder << endl;

 return 0;
}
 

In the above code in C++ Compiler, we have performed all the arithmetic operations on unary as well as binary operands.

Output

6
5
7
-8
8
Sum: 13
Difference: 7
Product: 30
Quotient: 3
Remainder: 1

Read More - C++ Interview Interview Questions for Experienced

Relational Operators

They are also known as Comparison Operators. They compare the values of the two operands. The result of the comparison is either true or false. If the comparison is true, it returns 1; If the comparison results in false, it returns 0. These are known as boolean values.
OperatorName
==Equal to
>Greater than
<Less than
>=Greater than or equal to
<=Less than or equal to
!=Not equal to

Example to demonstrate relational operators in C++


#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
 int x = 5;
 int y = 3;
 
 cout << (x == y) << endl; // returns 0 (false) because 5 is not equal to 3
 cout << (x != y) << endl; // returns 1 (true) because 5 is not equal to 3
 cout << (x > y) << endl; // returns 1 (true) because 5 is greater than 3
 cout << (x < y) << endl; // returns 0 (false) because 5 is not less than 3
 cout << (x >= y) << endl; // returns 1 (true) because 5 is greater than or equal to 3
 cout << (x <= y) << endl; // returns 0 (false) because 5 is not less than or equal to 3
 
 return 0;
} 

The above code performs all the comparison operations and returns the result in boolean values.

Output

0
1
1
0
1
0 

Logical Operators

They are used to combine two or more conditions/constraints. It returns either 0 or 1 depending upon whether the expression results in true or false. If the result is true, it returns 1 else returns 0.

The logical operators are used in decision-making and looping statements.

We will categorize the logical operators into two categories based on the number of operands and then look at their functionality.

TypeOperatorNameFunctionality
Binary&&Logical ANDreturns 1(true) if both the expressions/values are true.
||Logical ORreturns 1(true) if one of the expressions/values evaluates to true.
Unary!=Logical NOTNegates the expression and returns 1 or 0.

Example to demonstrate logical operators in C++ Online Compiler


#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
 int a = 1, b = 0;

 if (a && b) {
 cout << "Both a and b are true (non-zero)" << endl;
 } else {
 cout << "At least one of a or b is false (zero)" << endl;
 }

 if (a || b) {
 cout << "At least one of a or b is true (non-zero)" << endl;
 } else {
 cout << "Both a and b are false (zero)" << endl;
 }

 if (!b) { // value of b becomes 1
 cout << "b is false (zero)" << endl;
 } else {
 cout << "b is true (non-zero)" << endl;
 }

 return 0;
} 

The above code performs all three logical operations on a and b i.e. 1 and 0 respectively.

Output

At least one of a or b is false (zero)
At least one of a or b is true (non-zero)
b is false (zero)

Bitwise Operators

These operators work on individual bits. The operands are first converted into bits i.e. 0 or 1, and then the calculation is performed on them.

We will categorize the bitwise operators into two categories based on the number of operands and then look at their functionality.

TypeOperatorName
Unary~One's complement or Bitwise Complement
<<Left Shift
>>Right Shift
Binary&Bitwise AND
|Bitwise OR
^Bitwise Exclusive OR or XOR

Assignment Operators

These are used to assign values to the variables. The most fundamental assignment operator is =.

Example to demonstrate assignment operators in C++


#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
 int x;
 x = 10; // Assigning the value 10 to x
 cout << "The value of x is: " << x << endl;
 return 0;
}

Output

The value of x is: 10

The following table shows some variants of the assignment operator, “=”.

OperatorExampleSame as
=x=yx=y
+=x+=yx=x+y
-=x-=yx=x-y
*=x*=yx=x*y
/=x/=yx=x/y
%=x%=yx=x%y
&=x&=yx=x&y
|=x|=yx=x|y
^=x^=yx=x^y
>>=x>>=yx=x>>y
<<=x<<=yx=x<<y

Conditional Operator

This is also called a ternary operator. It works on three operands. The ternary operator is used to execute a set of statements when the test expression is true and another set of statements when the test expression evaluates to false.

Syntax

 testexpression? expression1 : expression 2;
Here, the testexpression results in a boolean value i.e. 0(true) or 1(false). If the testexpression evaluates to:
  • True: expression1 before the colon(:) executes
  • False: expression2 after the colon(:) executes

Example to demonstrate conditional operator in C++ Online Editor


#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
 int a = 5;
 int b = 10;
 int max = (a > b) ? a : b;
 cout << "The maximum value is: " << max << endl;
 return 0;
}

Output

The maximum value is: 10

Miscellaneous Operators

OperatorDescriptionExample

sizeof

returns the size of the data typesizeof(int); // 4

&

represents the memory address of the operand&a; // address of a

.

accesses members of struct variables or class objectsobj.print();

->

used with pointers to access the class or struct variablesptr->marks = 70;

<<

prints the output valuecout << 7;

>>

gets the input valuecin >> a;

Precedence of Operators in C++

Operator precedence and associativity help us to determine which operators will be given priority when there are multiple operators in the expression. It is the grouping of terms in an expression and decides how an expression should be evaluated.
Category Operator Associativity
Postfix() [] ->. ++ - -Left to right
Unary+ - ! ~ ++ - - (type)* & sizeofRight to left
Multiplicative* / %Left to right
Additive+ -Left to right
Shift<< >>Left to right
Relational< <= > >=Left to right
Equality== !=Left to right
Bitwise AND&Left to right
Bitwise XOR^Left to right
Bitwise OR|Left to right
Logical AND&&Left to right
Logical OR||Left to right
Conditional?:Right to left
Assignment= += -= *= /= %=>>= <<= &= ^= |=Right to left
Comma,Left to right
Summary
C++ language's fundamental building block is its operators, which enable a wide range of operations. The basic kinds of operators in C++, including arithmetic, relational, logical, bitwise, and assignment operators, have been outlined in this article along with examples from real-world applications for each. For easy reference, we've included a reference table to help you quickly understand operator precedence, which is essential for writing effective and error-free code. For more information consider our C++ Certification Course.
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About Author
Shailendra Chauhan (Microsoft MVP, Founder & CEO at Scholarhat by DotNetTricks)

Shailendra Chauhan is the Founder and CEO at ScholarHat by DotNetTricks which is a brand when it comes to e-Learning. He provides training and consultation over an array of technologies like Cloud, .NET, Angular, React, Node, Microservices, Containers and Mobile Apps development. He has been awarded Microsoft MVP 9th time in a row (2016-2024). He has changed many lives with his writings and unique training programs. He has a number of most sought-after books to his name which has helped job aspirants in cracking tough interviews with ease.
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