C# Operators

In C#, operators are unique symbols utilized to execute actions on variables and values known as operands. Operators are fundamental elements in every programming language. They can act on one or more operands to conduct operations and generate an outcome. They can carry out various tasks like arithmetic calculations, assigning values, bitwise operations, and logical evaluations.

Simple C# Operator Example:

Let's consider a basic example to demonstrate operators in C# programming language.

Example

using System;



class BasicExample {

    static void Main() {

        int a = 10, b = 20;

        int c = a + b;



        Console.WriteLine("The value of a + b is " + (c)); // Addition

}

}

Output:

The value of a + b is 30.

Types of Operators:

There are several types of operators that may perform different types of operations in C#. Important C# operators are as follows:

• ✅ Arithmetic Operators
• ✅ Relational Operators
• ✅ Logical Operators
• ✅ Bitwise Operators
• ✅ Assignment Operators
• ✅ Unary Operators
• ✅ Ternary or Conditional Operators
• ✅ Null-Coalescing Operators
• ✅ Operator Associativity and Precedence

Here, we will explore each of these operators individually, detailing their various types and providing illustrative examples.

1. Arithmetic Operators

In C#, arithmetic operators are primarily utilized for executing fundamental mathematical calculations (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) on the operands.

C# Arithmetic Operators Example:

Let's consider a scenario to demonstrate the arithmetic operators in C#.

Example

using System;



class Arithmetic {

    static void Main() //main method

       {

        int a = 10, b = 3; //initializing variables and values



        Console.WriteLine("The value of a + b is " + (a + b)); // Addition

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a - b is " + (a - b)); // Subtraction

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a * b is " + (a * b)); // Multiplication

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a / b is " + (a / b)); // Division

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a % b is " + (a % b)); // Modulus

    }

}

Output:

The value of a + b is 13  

The value of a - b is 7  

The value of a * b is 30  

The value of a / b is 3  

The value of a % b is 1

2. Relational (Comparison) Operators

In C#, a relational operator is primarily used to compare two values and produces a boolean outcome (either true or false).

C# Bitwise Operators Example:

Let's consider a scenario to demonstrate the bitwise operators in C#.

Example

using System;



class Bitwise 

{

    static void Main() //main function

    {

        int a = 10, b = 15; //initializing variables and values



        Console.WriteLine("The value of a & b is " + (a & b)); // Bitwise AND

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a | b is " + (a | b)); // Bitwise OR

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a ^ b is " + (a ^ b)); // Bitwise XOR

        Console.WriteLine("The value of ~a is " + (~a)); // Bitwise Complement

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a << b is " + (a << 1)); //Bitwise Left Shift

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a >> b is " + (a >> 1)); //Bitwise Right Shift

    }

}

Output:

The value of a & b is 10

The value of a | b is 15

The value of a ^ b is 5

The value of ~a is -11

The value of a << b is 20

The value of a >> b is 5

5. Assignment Operators

In the C# programming language, assignment operators play a crucial role in assigning values to variables and conducting operations simultaneously. Among these operators, the most frequently utilized one is the assignment operator (=), which enables the alteration of the stored variable value.

C# Assignment Operators Example:

Let's consider a scenario to demonstrate the assignment operator in C#.

Example

using System;



class Program 

{

    static void Main() //main function

    {

        int a = 10, b = 6; //initializing variables and values

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a is " + (a)); //using Assignment Operator 

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a+=b is " + (a += b));  //using Add and Assignment Operator

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a-=b is " + (a -= b)); //using Subtract and Assignment Operator

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a*=b is " + (a *= b)); //using Multiply and Assignment Operator

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a/=b is " + (a /= b)); //using Divide and Assignment Operator

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a%=b is " + (a %= b)); //using Modulus and Assignment Operator



    }

}

Output:

The value of a is 10

The value of a+=b is 16

The value of a-=b is 10

The value of a*=b is 60

The value of a/=b is 10

The value of a%=b is 4

6. Unary Operators

In C#, unary operators carry out operations on a single operand.

C# Unary Operators Example:

Let's consider an example to demonstrate the unary operator in C#.

Example

using System;



class Unary 

{

    static void Main() //main method

    {

        int a = 10; //initialize variable and value



        Console.WriteLine("The value of +a is " + (+a)); // Unary plus

        Console.WriteLine("The value of -a is " + (-a)); // Unary minus

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a after a++ is " + (a++)); // Increment

        

        Console.WriteLine("The value of a after a-- is " + (--a)); // Decrement

    }

}

Output:

The value of +a is 10

The value of -a is -10

The value of a after a++ is 10

The value of a after a-- is 10

7. Ternary or Conditional Operator

In C#, the ternary operator serves as a substitute for if-else statements, providing a way to carry out operations on three operands. This operator functions based on conditions.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

(Condition) ? Expression_a : Expression_b;

Here, two scenarios arise:

• ✅ When the specified condition evaluates to true, Expression_a is triggered to deliver the corresponding outcome.
• ✅ In the case where the specified condition is false, Expression_b is activated to yield the suitable result.

C# Ternary or Conditional Operator Example:

Let's consider a scenario to demonstrate the ternary and conditional operator in C#.

Example

using System;



class Ternary 

{

    static void Main() //main method

    {

        int a = 15, b = 20;

        int min = (a < b) ? a : b;  // If a < b, min = a, otherwise min = b



        Console.WriteLine("The minimum value is " + min);

    }

}

Output:

The minimum value is 15

8. Null Coalescing Operators

In C#, null coalescing operators offer a default value in situations involving null values.

Null Coalescing

Null Coalescing Assignment

C# Null Coalescing Operators Example:

Let's consider a scenario to explain the null-coalescing operator in C# programming.

Example

using System;



class Program {

    static void Main() {

        int? num = null;

        int result = num ?? 100;  // If num is null, assign 100



        Console.WriteLine("The result is " + result);



        int? x = null;

        x ??= 50;  // Assigns 50 to x if it is null



        Console.WriteLine("The value of x is " + x);

    }

}

Output:

The result is 100  

The value of x is 50

9. Operator Associativity and Precedence

In C#, operator precedence establishes the sequence in which various operators in an expression are evaluated. It dictates the priority of evaluation for diverse operators, whereas associativity specifies the sequence between operators of identical precedence, indicating whether to evaluate from the left or right.

1. Operator Precedence

Operators of greater precedence are computed before those of lower precedence. For instance, within the given expression:

Example

int result = 10 + 5 * 2;

Console.WriteLine(result);

Output:

In this case, the operation of multiplication (*) takes precedence over addition (+). Therefore, the calculation first involves multiplying 5 by 2, followed by adding 10.

2. Operator Associativity

If operators share the same precedence level, their associativity dictates the order of evaluation:

• ✅ In the case of Left-to-Right Associativity, operators such as +, -, *, /, %, &&, ||, ==, among others, are computed from left to right.
• ✅ On the other hand, Right-to-Left Associativity applies to operators like = (assignment), +=, -=, ??=, and the ternary operator (?:), which are assessed from right to left.

Example of Operator Precedence and Associativity

Example

int result = 10 - 2 * 3 + 4;

Console.WriteLine(result);

Output:

Given that the asterisk symbol (*) holds a higher priority than the minus (-) and plus (+) symbols, it undergoes evaluation before them.

Example of Right-to-Left Associativity

Example

int a = 5;

int b = 10;

int result = a = b = 20; // Right to Left evaluation

Console.WriteLine(result);

Output:

Firstly, the value of b = 20 is calculated, followed by setting a = 20, and ultimately assigning 20 to the variable result.

C# Operators Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is the expected result of the given C# code snippet?
Example
Copy
int a = 5, b = 10, c;

c = a++ + --b;

Console.WriteLine(c);
Try it Yourself

(B) 15

1. What is the expected result produced by this specific C# code snippet?
Example
Copy
int a = 10;

int b = 20;

int c = 30;

bool result = (a < b) && (b > c) || (a < c);

Console.WriteLine(result);
Try it Yourself

• ✅ True
• ✅ False
• ✅ Compilation Error
• ✅ Runtime Error

(A) Correct

1. What is the result generated by the code snippet below?
Example
Copy
int? x = null;

int y = x ?? 50;

Console.WriteLine(y);
Try it Yourself

• ✅ null
• ✅ Compilation Error

1. Which of the following statements is correct about the ??= operator in C#?

• ✅ It assigns the right operand to the left operand only if the left operand is null.
• ✅ It always assigns the right operand to the left operand.
• ✅ It checks if two operands are equal.
• ✅ It throws an exception if the left operand is null.

1. What is the result of the bitwise operation shown below?
Example
Copy
int x = 5 & 3;

Console.WriteLine(x);
Try it Yourself