C++ Operators

In C++, operators are special symbols that are used to perform operations on variables and values on operands. Operators are essential concepts of any programming language. There can be several operations, including arithmetic , value assignment, bitwise, and logical computations.

C++ Operators Example

Let us take a basic example to illustrate operators in C++.

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()

{

    int a = 20;

int b = 30;

 int c = a + b;

cout << "c: " << c<< endl; 

return 0;

}

Output:

Types of Operators

There are following types of operators to perform different types of operations in C++ language.

• ✅ Arithmetic Operators
• ✅ Relational Operators
• ✅ Logical Operators
• ✅ Bitwise Operators
• ✅ Assignment Operators
• ✅ Ternary or Conditional Operators
• ✅ Misc Operators

Here, we will discuss these C++ operators one by one with their types and examples.

1. Arithmetic Operators:

In C++, arithmetic operations are mainly utilized to perform mathematical operations (Like (+) addition , (-) subtraction, (*) multiplication, (/) division) on the operands. We can categorize these arithmetic operations into two categories, including binary and unary operators. Here is the following table that helps to understand the working of these operators in C++:

Arithmetic Operators Example:

Let us take a C++ program to calculate the Arithmetic operators .

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()

{

    int x = 15, y = 4;

    

 int add = x + y;

 int sub = x - y;

 int multipli = x * y;

 int division = x / y;

 int modulus = x % y;

 int increment = ++x;

 int decrement = --x;

 cout << "Addition: " << add << endl; // 15 + 4 = 19 

 cout << "Subtraction: " << sub << endl; // 15 - 4 = 11

 cout << "Multiplication: " << multipli << endl; // 15 * 4 = 60

 cout << "Division: " << division << endl; // 15 / 4 = 3 (Quotient)

 cout << "Modulus: " << modulus << endl; // 15 / 4 = 3 (Here, 3 is Remainder)

 cout << "Increment: " << increment <<endl; // 1+ 15 = 16 (Here, the value of x is 16)

 cout << "Decrement: " << decrement <<endl; // 16 - 1 = 15

}

Output:

Addition: 19

Subtraction: 11

Multiplication: 60

Division: 3

Modulus: 3

Increment: 16

Decrement: 15

2. Relational Operators:

In C++, relational operators are mainly utilized to compare the values of two operands. It provides the result in Boolean values (0 and 1). If the comparison is true, it returns 1 value. On the other hand, if the comparison is false, it returns 0 value. There are several operators in relational operators. Here is the following table that helps to understand the working of these operators in C++:

Relational Operators Example:

Let us take a C++ program to calculate the relational operators.

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

 int a = 16;

 int b = 7;

 

 cout << (a == b) << endl; // 16 == 7 (Condition False, returns 0)

 cout << (a > b) << endl; // 16 > 7 (Condition True, returns 1)

 cout << (a < b) << endl; // 16 < 7 (Condition False, returns 0)

 cout << (a >= b) << endl; // (16 >= 7) (Condition True, returns 1)

 cout << (a <= b) << endl; //16 <= 7 (Condition False, returns 0)

 cout << (a != b) << endl; //(16 != 7) (Condition True, returns 1)

 return 0;

}

Output:

0

1

0

1

0

1

3. Logical Operators

In C++, logical operators are mainly utilized to perform logical operations on Boolean values. These operators are also utilized for combining two or multiple conditions. It provides the result in Boolean values (0 and 1). If the comparison is true, it returns 1 value. If the comparison is false, it returns 0 value. Here is the following table that helps to understand the working of these operators in C++:

Logical Operators Example:

Let us take a C++ program to illustrate the Logical Operators.

Example

#include <bits/stdc++.h>

using namespace std;

int main() {

    int x = 18, y = 12;

    cout << "The value of x && y is " << (x && y) << endl; // Logical AND

    cout << "The value of x || y is " << (x || y) << endl; // Logical OR

  

    cout << "The value of !y is " << (!y);  // Logical NOT 

    return 0;

}

Output:

The value of x && y is 1

The value of x || y is 1

The value of !y is 0

4. Bitwise Operators

Bitwise operators are mainly utilized to perform operations on the bit level. It works on individual bits. The operand is first converted into the bit level, and then the operation is performed on them. It performs bit by bit operation. Here is the following table that helps to understand the working of these operators in C++:

Bitwise Operators Example:

Let us take a C++ program to illustrate the Bitwise Operators.

Example

#include <bits/stdc++.h>

using namespace std;

int main() {

    int x = 14, y = 8;

    cout << "x & y is " << (x & y) << endl; // Binary AND operator

    cout << "x | y is " << (x | y) << endl; // Binary OR operator

    cout << "x ^ y is " << (x ^ y) << endl; // Binary XOR operator

    

    cout << "~(x) is " << ~(x) << endl; // One's Complement operator

    cout << "x<<1 is " << (x << 1) << endl; // Left Shift operator

    cout << "x>>1 is " << (x >> 1); // Right Shift operator

    return 0;

}

Output:

x & y is 8

x | y is 14

x ^ y is 6

~(x) is -15

x<<1 is 28

x>>1 is 7

5. Assignment Operators

These assignment operators are mainly utilized to assign the values to a variable. The most commonly utilized operator is the assignment operator (=). These operators enable us to change and update the value stored in the variable. Here is the following table that helps to understand the working of these operators in C++:

Assignment Operators Example:

Let us take a C++ program to illustrate the Assignment Operators.

Example

#include <bits/stdc++.h>

using namespace std;

int main() {

    int x = 18, y = 5;

    cout << "The value of x = " << x << endl; // Assignment Operator.

  

    cout << "The value of x += y is " << (x += y) << endl; // Add and Assignment Operator.

  

    cout << "The value of x -= y is " << (x -= y) << endl; // Subtract and Assignment Operator.

  

    cout << "The value of x *= y is " << (x *= y) << endl; //  Multiply and Assignment Operator.

  

    cout << "The value of x /= y is " << (x /= y) << endl; //  Divide and Assignment Operator.

    

    cout << "The value of x %= y is " << (x %= y); //  Modulus and Assignment Operator.

    return 0;

}

Output:

The value of x = 18

The value of x += y is 23

The value of x -= y is 18

The value of x *= y is 90

The value of x /= y is 18

The value of x %= y is 3

6. Ternary or Conditional Operator

The ternary or conditional operator performs operations on three operands. It is a conditional-based operator. It is mainly used to run a set of statements when the test expression is true, and another set of statements is executed when the test expression evaluates to false.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

(Condition a) ? Expression1 : Expression2;

Here, two conditions are occurred:

• ✅ If condition a is true, Expression1 is executed and gives the appropriate result.
• ✅ If condition a is false, Expression2 is executed and gives the appropriate result.

Ternary or Conditional Operator Example:

Let us take a C++ program to illustrate the Ternary and Conditional Operators.

Example

#include <iostream>

#include <string>

using namespace std;

int main() {

  int Score;

  cout << "Enter the Player Score: ";

  cin >> Score;

  // ternary operator checks

  string result = (Score >= 75) ? "Won" : "Lose";

  cout << "Player " << result << " the Game.";

  return 0;

}

Output:

Enter the Player Score: 80

Player Won the Game.

7. Misc Operators

Misc operators is an abbreviation for miscellaneous operators. There are several misc operators that don't fit in any of the above categories, such as arithmetic, logical, bitwise, and many operators. Several miscellaneous operators in C++ are as follows:

• ✅ Sizeof Operators:

The Sizeof operator is utilized to return the size of the operand, variables, and data types in bytes.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

Sizeof(char);

Sizof (var_name);

Sizeof (int);

Example:

Let us take an example to illustrate the sizeof operator in C++.

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()

{

   int a = 10;	

 

   cout <<sizeof (a) << endl; //Sizeof(int) operator

   cout <<sizeof (char) << endl; //Sizeof(int) operator

   

    return 0;

}

Output:

• ✅ Comma Operator (,):

Comma operators are mainly utilized to separate the operands, variables , data types , etc. It is used to perform several operations. It evaluates the multiple expression and returns the last expression of the comma-separated list.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

int a, b, c;

Example:

Let us take an example to illustrate the comma operator in C++.

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()

{

  int x = 34, y = 45;

  

   cout << x << " " << y << " " << endl; //Comma operator

   

    return 0;

}

Output:

34, 45

• ✅ Arrow and dot Operator:

Dot operators are mainly utilized to access members of an object. On the other hand, array operators are utilized for accessing the variables of the classes or structures via its pointer.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

Obj.print();

Ptr -> member;

Example:

Let us take an example to illustrate the arrow and dot operator in C++.

Example

#include<iostream>

using namespace std;

class CppTutorial {

public:

    int x = 10;

};

int main()

{

CppTutorial obj;

CppTutorial *ptr = &obj;

cout << obj.x << endl;   // Using . (dot) operator

cout << ptr->x << endl;    // Using -> (arrow) operator

 

   return 0;

}

Output:

10

10

• ✅ Casting Operator:

Using the casting operator, we can convert one data type to another data type.

Syntax:

int var = static_cast<int>(var);

Example:

Let us take an example to illustrate the casting operator in C++.

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

    double x = 4578.05575;

    float y = 19.845;

  

      int a = static_cast<int>(x); //Casting operator

    int b = static_cast<int>(y);

     cout << "The Value of (int)b is:" << a <<endl; //shows the converted value

    cout << "The Value of (int)b is:" << b;

    return 0;

}

Output:

The Value of (int)b is:4578

The Value of (int)b is:19

• ✅ Addressof Operator (&) and Pointer Operator (*)

It is mainly utilized to return the memory address of a variable. On the other hand, pointer operator is used to define a pointer to a variable.

Syntax:

&var_name;

*var;

Example:

Let us take an example to illustrate the addressof(&) operator and pointer (*) operator in C++.

Example

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()

{

	int num = 46;

    int  var;

	int* ptr = # //address and pointer variable

	cout << "The address of the variable num is: " << ptr <<endl;

	cout << "The address of the variable var is: " << var;

	return 0;

}

Output:

The address of the variable num is: 0x7ffe95d31498

The address of the variable var is: 30841

Operator Precedency and Associativity

Operator precedence and associativity are essential concepts in C++ programming. It defines the order, and part of the expression is calculated. Precedency shows that portion of the expression should be evaluated first. On the other hand, associativity shows which direction to calculate when precedency operators are in expression. Here, we will discuss both operators:

Precedence of Operators in C++

The precedence of operator species that which operator will be evaluated first and next. The associativity specifies the operator's direction to be evaluated, and it may be left to right or right to left.

Let us understand the precedence by the example given below:

int data= 12*12 + 4;    

will be calculated as:

(12 * 12) + 4 = 148

The "data" variable will contain 148 because * (multiplicative operator) is evaluated before + (additive operator).

Operator Associativity:

In operator associativity, if the expression has multiple operators with similar precedence, the evaluation starts from left to right or right to left.

For example:

int data=  36 / 12 * 4 

will be evaluated as:

(36 / 12) * 4 = 12

The precedence and associativity of C++ operators is given below:

C++ Operators MCQs:

1. What is the main role of the assignment operator (=) in C++?

• ✅ To perform addition operation
• ✅ To compare two values
• ✅ To assign a value to a variable
• ✅ To perform Decrement operation

1. What is the output of the 7 << 4 Expression in C++?

1. What will be the output of the following code:
Example
Copy
#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

    int x;

    x = 12 - 2 + 3 * 7;

    cout << "x: " << x;

    return 0;

}
Try it Yourself

1. What will be the output of the following code?
Example
Copy
#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

    int x = 18, y = 25, z;

    z = (x < y) ? x : y;

    cout << z;

    return 0;

}
Try it Yourself

1. What is the main purpose of the comma operator (,) in C++?

• ✅ Used to compare two values
• ✅ Used to run two or more expressions in sequence
• ✅ Used to separate variables in declarations
• ✅ Used to separate functions arguments