Java Operators: A Comprehensive Introduction
Introduction to Operators
Operators in Java are special symbols used to perform various operations on variables and values. They are
essential for building expressions and controlling the flow of your programs. Java operators can be broadly
categorized into several types.
Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic operators are used to perform basic mathematical operations. Here are some common arithmetic
operators:
int a = 10;
int b = 5;
int addition = a + b;
int subtraction = a - b;
int multiplication = a * b;
int division = a / b;
int modulus = a % b;
Relational Operators
Relational operators are used to compare values. They return a boolean result. Common relational operators include
<
(less than), >
(greater than), <=
(less than or equal to),
>=
(greater than or equal to), ==
(equal to), and !=
(not equal to).
int x = 5;
int y = 8;
boolean isLess = x < y;
boolean isEqual = x == y;
Logical Operators
Logical operators are used to combine and manipulate boolean values. Common logical operators include
&&
(logical AND), ||
(logical OR), and !
(logical NOT).
boolean isTrue = true;
boolean isFalse = false;
boolean result = isTrue && isFalse;
Assignment Operators
Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. The basic assignment operator is =
, but
there are compound assignment operators like +=
, -=
, *=
, etc.
int count = 0;
count += 5; // Equivalent to count = count + 5;
Conclusion
Java operators are fundamental in programming. They allow you to perform a wide range of operations on data and
control program logic. As you continue learning Java, mastering these operators will be crucial to writing
efficient and functional code.