What's the meaning of these Java operators?

Question

This question may sound dumb but I honestly can't find an answer anywhere...what does the operators "^=", "|=" and "?" mean in Java? Thanks..

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/nutsandbolts/operators.html - typing "java operators" into google provides that as the first link. Where were you looking? — Brian Roach, Mar 13 '12 at 13:48
You should take a look at some tutorials for java. Here is an oracle page on operators: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/nutsandbolts/operators.html. — twain249, Mar 13 '12 at 13:51

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:49

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The notation x ^= y; means the same as x = x ^ y;.

The ^ operator is bitwise exclusive OR, the | operator is bitwise OR (see Bitwise operation).

Just like x += y; means x = x + y;, etc.

For ?, see Ternary operator.

answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:49

Jesper

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and ? is used as a IF function a = condition ? true : false; – Alejandro B. Mar 13 '12 at 13:51
@AlejoBrz - it's called `ternary` – Brian Roach Mar 13 '12 at 13:53

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:52

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x^=y is short for x = x^y
x|=y is short for x = x | y
? is the conditional operator. It's a shortcut for an if / else statement. It's use is highly controversal.

answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:52

mrab

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It's called a `ternary` operator and why would you ever say it's "controversial" ? – Brian Roach Mar 13 '12 at 13:53
@BrianRoach I perhaps wouldn't call it controversial but some people dislike it as it can make code less readable. – Jim Mar 13 '12 at 13:57
@Jim - And I'd ... politely disagree with you :-D I've never worked with or met anyone who finds them difficult to read or expressed a dislike in any language, never mind just java. I use them when they're a good fit. – Brian Roach Mar 13 '12 at 14:00
@BrianRoach Ternary and conditional are synonyms. Your and Jims comment are a good example for the controversal debate. I personally use it, when it fits (what has to be defined). – mrab Mar 13 '12 at 14:09
@BrianRoach [This](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/160218/to-ternary-or-not-to-ternary) is the first hit searching SO for "ternary" it includes discussion about the name and the use. – mrab Mar 13 '12 at 14:16

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:52

They're all covered by the Java tutorial.

The question mark is used in the ternary operator, which is a shorthand for if-then-else. For example,

int i = 1;
System.out.println ( i == 0 ? "No" : "Yes" );

If i is 0 then "No" will be printed, otherwise "Yes" will be printed.

The other two are used in bitwise assignments.

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:51

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|= assignment operator -> bitwise inclusive OR
^= assignment operator -> bitwise exclusive OR
? logical operator as in booleanValue == true ? something() : somethingElse()

answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:51

darijan

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`? :` is the `ternary` operator. – Brian Roach Mar 13 '12 at 13:52

Radu Murzea · Answer 5 · 2012-03-13T14:38:30.883

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^ is the XOR operator
| is the bitwise OR operator
? is the ternary operator.

The first two have the = operator after them because that's a shortcut writing. For example x |= y is the same as x = x | y.

More details about them can be found on thosands of websites on the Internet.

edited Mar 13 '12 at 14:38

answered Mar 13 '12 at 13:51

Radu Murzea

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What's the meaning of these Java operators?

5 Answers5