Java operators are special symbols that perform operations on variables or values. These operators are essential in programming as they allow you to manipulate data efficiently.
Example: Below code describes basic structure of operator. how to use operators like the + and - operators are used to perform addition and subtraction on numeric values."
Java
// Java program to show the use of + and - operators
public class Geeks
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Declare and initialize variables
int num1 = 500;
int num2 = 100;
// Using the + (addition) operator
int sum = num1 + num2;
System.out.println("The Sum is: "+sum);
// Using the - (subtraction) operator
int diff = num1 - num2;
System.out.println("The Difference is: "+diff);
}
}
OutputThe Sum is: 600
The Difference is: 400
Explanation:
- A class named Geeks is created containing the main method.
- Two integer variables num1 and num2 are declared and initialized with values.
- The + operator is used to add the two numbers and store the result in sum.
- The result of addition is printed to the console.
- The - operator is used to subtract the second number from the first and store the result in diff.
Types of Operators in Java
- Arithmetic Operators
- Unary Operators
- Assignment Operator
- Relational Operators
- Logical Operators
- Ternary Operator
- Bitwise Operators
- Shift Operators
- An instance of an operator
Let's see all these operators one by one with their proper examples.
1. Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic Operators are used to perform simple arithmetic operations on primitive and non-primitive data types.
- * : Multiplication
- / : Division
- % : Modulo
- + : Addition
- - : Subtraction
Note:
- Division (/) truncates decimal points for integers.
- Modulus (%) is useful for checking even/odd numbers.
Example: This example demonstrates the use of arithmetic operators on integers and string-to-integer conversion for performing mathematical operations.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// Arithmetic Operators
import java.io.*;
class Geeks
{
public static void main (String[] args)
{
// Arithmetic operators on integers
int a = 10;
int b = 3;
// Arithmetic operators on Strings
String n1 = "15";
String n2 = "25";
// Convert Strings to integers
int a1 = Integer.parseInt(n1);
int b1 = Integer.parseInt(n2);
System.out.println("a + b = " + (a + b));
System.out.println("a - b = " + (a - b));
System.out.println("a * b = " + (a * b));
System.out.println("a / b = " + (a / b));
System.out.println("a % b = " + (a % b));
System.out.println("a1 + b1 = " + (a1 + b1));
}
}
Outputa + b = 13
a - b = 7
a * b = 30
a / b = 3
a % b = 1
a1 + b1 = 40
2. Unary Operators
Unary Operators need only one operand. They are used to increment, decrement, or negate a value.
-
, Negates the value.+
, Indicates a positive value (automatically converts byte
, char
, or short
to int
).++
, Increments by 1.- Post-Increment: Uses value first, then increments.
- Pre-Increment: Increments first, then uses value.
--
, Decrements by 1.- Post-Decrement: Uses value first, then decrements.
- Pre-Decrement: Decrements first, then uses value.
!
, Inverts a boolean value.
Example: This example demonstrates the use of unary operators for post-increment, pre-increment, post-decrement, and pre-decrement operations.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// Unary Operators
import java.io.*;
// Driver Class
class Geeks {
// main function
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Interger declared
int a = 10;
int b = 10;
// Using unary operators
System.out.println("Postincrement : " + (a++));
System.out.println("Preincrement : " + (++a));
System.out.println("Postdecrement : " + (b--));
System.out.println("Predecrement : " + (--b));
}
}
OutputPostincrement : 10
Preincrement : 12
Postdecrement : 10
Predecrement : 8
3. Assignment Operator
'=' The assignment operator is used to assign a value to any variable. It has right-to-left associativity, i.e. value given on the right-hand side of the operator is assigned to the variable on the left, and therefore right-hand side value must be declared before using it or should be a constant.
The general format of the assignment operator is:
variable = value;
In many cases, the assignment operator can be combined with others to create shorthand compound statements. For example, a += 5
replaces a = a + 5
. Common compound operators include:
+= ,
Add and assign.-= ,
Subtract and assign.*= ,
Multiply and assign./= ,
Divide and assign.%= ,
Modulo and assign.
Example: This example demonstrates the use of various assignment operators, including compound, bitwise, and shift operators, for modifying a variable.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// Assignment Operators
import java.io.*;
// Driver Class
class Geeks {
// Main Function
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Assignment operators
int f = 7;
System.out.println("f += 3: " + (f += 3));
System.out.println("f -= 2: " + (f -= 2));
System.out.println("f *= 4: " + (f *= 4));
System.out.println("f /= 3: " + (f /= 3));
System.out.println("f %= 2: " + (f %= 2));
System.out.println("f &= 0b1010: " + (f &= 0b1010));
System.out.println("f |= 0b1100: " + (f |= 0b1100));
System.out.println("f ^= 0b1010: " + (f ^= 0b1010));
System.out.println("f <<= 2: " + (f <<= 2));
System.out.println("f >>= 1: " + (f >>= 1));
System.out.println("f >>>= 1: " + (f >>>= 1));
}
}
Outputf += 3: 10
f -= 2: 8
f *= 4: 32
f /= 3: 10
f %= 2: 0
f &= 0b1010: 0
f |= 0b1100: 12
f ^= 0b1010: 6
f <<= 2: 24
f >>= 1: 12
f >>>= 1: 6
Note: Use compound assignments (+=, -=) for cleaner code.
4. Relational Operators
Relational Operators are used to check for relations like equality, greater than, and less than. They return boolean results after the comparison and are extensively used in looping statements as well as conditional if-else statements. The general format is ,
variable relation_operator value
Relational operators compare values and return Boolean results:
== ,
Equal to.!= ,
Not equal to.< ,
Less than.<= ,
Less than or equal to.> ,
Greater than.>= ,
Greater than or equal to.
Example: This example demonstrates the use of relational operators to compare values and return boolean results.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// Relational Operators
import java.io.*;
// Driver Class
class Geeks {
// main function
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Comparison operators
int a = 10;
int b = 3;
int c = 5;
System.out.println("a > b: " + (a > b));
System.out.println("a < b: " + (a < b));
System.out.println("a >= b: " + (a >= b));
System.out.println("a <= b: " + (a <= b));
System.out.println("a == c: " + (a == c));
System.out.println("a != c: " + (a != c));
}
}
Outputa > b: true
a < b: false
a >= b: true
a <= b: false
a == c: false
a != c: true
5. Logical Operators
Logical Operators are used to perform "logical AND" and "logical OR" operations, similar to AND gate and OR gate in digital electronics. They have a short-circuiting effect, meaning the second condition is not evaluated if the first is false.
Conditional operators are:
- &&, Logical AND: returns true when both conditions are true.
- ||, Logical OR: returns true if at least one condition is true.
- !, Logical NOT: returns true when a condition is false and vice-versa
Example: This example demonstrates the use of logical operators (&&, ||, !) to perform boolean operations.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// Logical operators
import java.io.*;
class Geeks {
// Main Function
public static void main (String[] args) {
// Logical operators
boolean x = true;
boolean y = false;
System.out.println("x && y: " + (x && y));
System.out.println("x || y: " + (x || y));
System.out.println("!x: " + (!x));
}
}
Outputx && y: false
x || y: true
!x: false
6. Ternary operator
The Ternary Operator is a shorthand version of the if-else statement. It has three operands and hence the name Ternary. The general format is,
condition ? if true : if false
The above statement means that if the condition evaluates to true, then execute the statements after the '?' else execute the statements after the ':'.
Example: This example demonstrates the use of the ternary operator to find the maximum of three numbers.
Java
// Java program to illustrate
// max of three numbers using
// ternary operator.
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String[] args)
{
int a = 20, b = 10, c = 30, result;
// result holds max of three
// numbers
result = ((a > b) ? (a > c) ? a : c : (b > c) ? b : c);
System.out.println("Max of three numbers = "+ result);
}
}
OutputMax of three numbers = 30
7. Bitwise Operators
Bitwise Operators are used to perform the manipulation of individual bits of a number and with any of the integer types. They are used when performing update and query operations of the Binary indexed trees.
&
(Bitwise AND): returns bit-by-bit AND of input values.|
(Bitwise OR): returns bit-by-bit OR of input values.^
(Bitwise XOR): returns bit-by-bit XOR of input values.~
(Bitwise Complement): inverts all bits (one's complement).
Example: This example demonstrates the use of bitwise operators (&, |, ^, ~, <<, >>, >>>) to perform bit-level operations.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// bitwise operators
import java.io.*;
class Geeks
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Bitwise operators
int d = 0b1010;
int e = 0b1100;
System.out.println("d & e : " + (d & e));
System.out.println("d | e : " + (d | e));
System.out.println("d ^ e : " + (d ^ e));
System.out.println("~d : " + (~d));
System.out.println("d << 2 : " + (d << 2));
System.out.println("e >> 1 : " + (e >> 1));
System.out.println("e >>> 1 : " + (e >>> 1));
}
}
Outputd & e : 8
d | e : 14
d ^ e : 6
~d : -11
d << 2 : 40
e >> 1 : 6
e >>> 1 : 6
8. Shift Operators
Shift Operators are used to shift the bits of a number left or right, thereby multiplying or dividing the number by two, respectively. They can be used when we have to multiply or divide a number by two. The general format ,
number shift_op number_of_places_to_shift;
<<
(Left shift): Shifts bits left, filling 0s (multiplies by a power of two).>> (
Signed right shift): Shifts bits right, filling 0s (divides by a power of two), with the leftmost bit depending on the sign.>>>
(Unsigned right shift): Shifts bits right, filling 0s, with the leftmost bit always 0.
Example: This example demonstrates the use of shift operators (<<, >>) to shift the bits of a number left and right.
Java
// Java Program to show the use of
// shift operators
import java.io.*;
class Geeks
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
int a = 10;
// Using left shift
System.out.println("a<<1 : " + (a << 1));
// Using right shift
System.out.println("a>>1 : " + (a >> 1));
}
}
9. instanceof Operator
The instanceof operator is used for type checking. It can be used to test if an object is an instance of a class, a subclass, or an interface. The general format,
object instance of class/subclass/interface
Example: This example demonstrates the use of the instanceof operator to check if an object is an instance of a specific class or interface
Java
// Java program to show the use of
// Instance of operator
public class Geeks
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
Person obj1 = new Person();
Person obj2 = new Boy();
// As obj is of type person, it is not an
// instance of Boy or interface
System.out.println("obj1 instanceof Person: "
+ (obj1 instanceof Person));
System.out.println("obj1 instanceof Boy: "
+ (obj1 instanceof Boy));
System.out.println("obj1 instanceof MyInterface: "
+ (obj1 instanceof MyInterface));
// Since obj2 is of type boy,
// whose parent class is person
// and it implements the interface Myinterface
// it is instance of all of these classes
System.out.println("obj2 instanceof Person: "
+ (obj2 instanceof Person));
System.out.println("obj2 instanceof Boy: "
+ (obj2 instanceof Boy));
System.out.println("obj2 instanceof MyInterface: "
+ (obj2 instanceof MyInterface));
}
}
// Classes and Interfaces used
// are declared here
class Person {
}
class Boy extends Person implements MyInterface {
}
interface MyInterface {
}
Outputobj1 instanceof Person: true
obj1 instanceof Boy: false
obj1 instanceof MyInterface: false
obj2 instanceof Person: true
obj2 instanceof Boy: true
obj2 instanceof MyInterface: true
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The common mistakes that can occur when working with Java Operators are listed below:
- Confusing == with =: Using == for assignment instead of = for equality check leads to logical errors.
- Incorrect Use of Floating Point Comparison: Comparing floating point numbers using == can lead to unexpected results due to precision issues.
- Integer Division Confusion: Dividing two integers will result in integer division (truncating the result).
- Overusing + for String Concatenation in Loops: Using + for concatenating strings in loops leads to performance issues because it creates new string objects on each iteration.
Related Posts:
Operator Precedence and Associativity in Java
Similar Reads
Java Tutorial Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language used to build web apps, mobile applications, and enterprise software systems. Known for its Write Once, Run Anywhere capability, which means code written in Java can run on any device that supports the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).Syntax and s
7 min read
Basics
Introduction to JavaJava is a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It is platform-independent, which means we can write code once and run it anywhere using the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is mostly used for building desktop applications, web applications, Android
4 min read
Java Programming BasicsJava is one of the most popular and widely used programming language and platform. A platform is an environment that helps to develop and run programs written in any programming language. Java is fast, reliable and secure. From desktop to web applications, scientific supercomputers to gaming console
4 min read
Java MethodsJava Methods are blocks of code that perform a specific task. A method allows us to reuse code, improving both efficiency and organization. All methods in Java must belong to a class. Methods are similar to functions and expose the behavior of objects.Example: Java program to demonstrate how to crea
7 min read
Access Modifiers in JavaIn Java, access modifiers are essential tools that define how the members of a class, like variables, methods, and even the class itself, can be accessed from other parts of our program. They are an important part of building secure and modular code when designing large applications. In this article
6 min read
Arrays in JavaIn Java, an array is an important linear data structure that allows us to store multiple values of the same type. Arrays in Java are objects, like all other objects in Java, arrays implicitly inherit from the java.lang.Object class. This allows you to invoke methods defined in Object (such as toStri
9 min read
Java StringsIn Java, a String is the type of object that can store a sequence of characters enclosed by double quotes and every character is stored in 16 bits, i.e., using UTF 16-bit encoding. A string acts the same as an array of characters. Java provides a robust and flexible API for handling strings, allowin
8 min read
Regular Expressions in JavaIn Java, Regular Expressions or Regex (in short) in Java is an API for defining String patterns that can be used for searching, manipulating, and editing a string in Java. Email validation and passwords are a few areas of strings where Regex is widely used to define the constraints. Regular Expressi
7 min read
OOPs & Interfaces
Classes and Objects in JavaIn Java, classes and objects are basic concepts of Object Oriented Programming (OOPs) that are used to represent real-world concepts and entities. A class is a template to create objects having similar properties and behavior, or in other words, we can say that a class is a blueprint for objects.An
10 min read
Java ConstructorsIn Java, constructors play an important role in object creation. A constructor is a special block of code that is called when an object is created. Its main job is to initialize the object, to set up its internal state, or to assign default values to its attributes. This process happens automaticall
10 min read
Java OOP(Object Oriented Programming) ConceptsBefore Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs), most programs used a procedural approach, where the focus was on writing step-by-step functions. This made it harder to manage and reuse code in large applications.To overcome these limitations, Object-Oriented Programming was introduced. Java is built arou
10 min read
Java PackagesPackages in Java are a mechanism that encapsulates a group of classes, sub-packages and interfaces. Packages are used for: Prevent naming conflicts by allowing classes with the same name to exist in different packages, like college.staff.cse.Employee and college.staff.ee.Employee.Make it easier to o
7 min read
Java InterfaceAn Interface in Java programming language is defined as an abstract type used to specify the behaviour of a class. An interface in Java is a blueprint of a behaviour. A Java interface contains static constants and abstract methods. Key Properties of Interface:The interface in Java is a mechanism to
11 min read
Collections
Exception Handling
Java Exception HandlingException handling in Java is an effective mechanism for managing runtime errors to ensure the application's regular flow is maintained. Some Common examples of exceptions include ClassNotFoundException, IOException, SQLException, RemoteException, etc. By handling these exceptions, Java enables deve
8 min read
Java Try Catch BlockA try-catch block in Java is a mechanism to handle exceptions. This make sure that the application continues to run even if an error occurs. The code inside the try block is executed, and if any exception occurs, it is then caught by the catch block.Example: Here, we are going to handle the Arithmet
4 min read
Java final, finally and finalizeIn Java, the keywords "final", "finally" and "finalize" have distinct roles. final enforces immutability and prevents changes to variables, methods or classes. finally ensures a block of code runs after a try-catch, regardless of exceptions. finalize is a method used for cleanup before an object is
4 min read
Chained Exceptions in JavaChained Exceptions in Java allow associating one exception with another, i.e. one exception describes the cause of another exception. For example, consider a situation in which a method throws an ArithmeticException because of an attempt to divide by zero.But the root cause of the error was an I/O f
3 min read
Null Pointer Exception in JavaA NullPointerException in Java is a RuntimeException. It occurs when a program attempts to use an object reference that has the null value. In Java, "null" is a special value that can be assigned to object references to indicate the absence of a value.Reasons for Null Pointer ExceptionA NullPointerE
5 min read
Exception Handling with Method Overriding in JavaException handling with method overriding in Java refers to the rules and behavior that apply when a subclass overrides a method from its superclass and both methods involve exceptions. It ensures that the overridden method in the subclass does not declare broader or new checked exceptions than thos
4 min read
Java Advanced
Java Multithreading TutorialThreads are the backbone of multithreading. We are living in the real world which in itself is caught on the web surrounded by lots of applications. With the advancement in technologies, we cannot achieve the speed required to run them simultaneously unless we introduce the concept of multi-tasking
15+ min read
Synchronization in JavaIn multithreading, synchronization is important to make sure multiple threads safely work on shared resources. Without synchronization, data can become inconsistent or corrupted if multiple threads access and modify shared variables at the same time. In Java, it is a mechanism that ensures that only
10 min read
File Handling in JavaIn Java, with the help of File Class, we can work with files. This File Class is inside the java.io package. The File class can be used to create an object of the class and then specifying the name of the file.Why File Handling is Required?File Handling is an integral part of any programming languag
6 min read
Java Method ReferencesIn Java, a method is a collection of statements that perform some specific task and return the result to the caller. A method reference is the shorthand syntax for a lambda expression that contains just one method call. In general, one does not have to pass arguments to method references.Why Use Met
9 min read
Java 8 Stream TutorialJava 8 introduces Stream, which is a new abstract layer, and some new additional packages in Java 8 called java.util.stream. A Stream is a sequence of components that can be processed sequentially. These packages include classes, interfaces, and enum to allow functional-style operations on the eleme
15+ min read
Java NetworkingWhen computing devices such as laptops, desktops, servers, smartphones, and tablets and an eternally-expanding arrangement of IoT gadgets such as cameras, door locks, doorbells, refrigerators, audio/visual systems, thermostats, and various sensors are sharing information and data with each other is
15+ min read
JDBC TutorialJDBC stands for Java Database Connectivity. JDBC is a Java API or tool used in Java applications to interact with the database. It is a specification from Sun Microsystems that provides APIs for Java applications to communicate with different databases. Interfaces and Classes for JDBC API comes unde
12 min read
Java Memory ManagementJava memory management is the process by which the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) automatically handles the allocation and deallocation of memory. It uses a garbage collector to reclaim memory by removing unused objects, eliminating the need for manual memory managementJVM Memory StructureJVM defines va
4 min read
Garbage Collection in JavaGarbage collection in Java is an automatic memory management process that helps Java programs run efficiently. Objects are created on the heap area. Eventually, some objects will no longer be needed.Garbage collection is an automatic process that removes unused objects from heap.Working of Garbage C
6 min read
Memory Leaks in JavaIn programming, a memory leak happens when a program keeps using memory but does not give it back when it's done. It simply means the program slowly uses more and more memory, which can make things slow and even stop working. Working of Memory Management in JavaJava has automatic garbage collection,
3 min read
Practice Java
Java Interview Questions and AnswersJava is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, known for its versatility, portability, and wide range of applications. Java is the most used language in top companies such as Uber, Airbnb, Google, Netflix, Instagram, Spotify, Amazon, and many more because of its features and per
15+ min read
Java Programs - Java Programming ExamplesIn this article, we will learn and prepare for Interviews using Java Programming Examples. From basic Java programs like the Fibonacci series, Prime numbers, Factorial numbers, and Palindrome numbers to advanced Java programs.Java is one of the most popular programming languages today because of its
8 min read
Java Exercises - Basic to Advanced Java Practice Programs with SolutionsLooking for Java exercises to test your Java skills, then explore our topic-wise Java practice exercises? Here you will get 25 plus practice problems that help to upscale your Java skills. As we know Java is one of the most popular languages because of its robust and secure nature. But, programmers
7 min read
Java Quiz | Level Up Your Java SkillsThe best way to scale up your coding skills is by practicing the exercise. And if you are a Java programmer looking to test your Java skills and knowledge? Then, this Java quiz is designed to challenge your understanding of Java programming concepts and assess your excellence in the language. In thi
1 min read
Top 50 Java Project Ideas For Beginners and Advanced [Update 2025]Java is one of the most popular and versatile programming languages, known for its reliability, security, and platform independence. Developed by James Gosling in 1982, Java is widely used across industries like big data, mobile development, finance, and e-commerce.Building Java projects is an excel
15+ min read