What is the Difference Between Bitwise and Logical Operators?

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The main difference between bitwise and logical operators lies in the way they operate on data. Bitwise operators work on individual bits of data, while logical operators are used for making decisions based on certain conditions. Here are some key differences between bitwise and logical operators:

  1. Bitwise Operators:
  • Work on bits and perform bit-by-bit operations.
  • Examples include AND (&), OR (|), XOR (?), and NOT (~).
  • Treat the operands as 8-bit (or 16- or 32-bit) entities.
  • Used for fast binary computation.
  1. Logical Operators:
  • Operate on logical values, such as true and false or 1 and 0.
  • Examples include AND (&&), OR (||), and NOT (!).
  • Used for making decisions based on multiple conditions.

In summary, bitwise operators are used for manipulating individual bits of data, while logical operators are used for making decisions based on certain conditions. If you need to perform bitwise operations, use bitwise operators like AND, OR, and NOT. If you need to make decisions based on conditions, use logical operators like AND, OR, and NOT.

Comparative Table: Bitwise vs Logical Operators

Here is a table that summarizes the differences between bitwise and logical operators:

Property Bitwise Operators Logical Operators
Functionality Bitwise operators work on bits and perform bit-by-bit operations. Logical operators are used to make decisions based on multiple conditions.
Themes Bitwise operators include &, |, ^, ~, <<, and >>. Logical operators include &&, ||, and !.
Operand Types Bitwise operators only work with integers. Logical operators can be used with pointers, floating-point numbers, and other non-integral types.

Bitwise operators perform bit-by-bit operations on integral values, while logical operators are used for making decisions based on certain conditions. Bitwise operators work only with integers, whereas logical operators can be used with a wider range of data types, including pointers and floating-point numbers.