Java Operators

In Java, operators are special symbols used to perform operations on variables and values.

They form the backbone of any Java program, enabling calculations, decisions, and logical flows.

What Is an Operator in Java?

An operator is a symbol that tells the compiler to perform specific mathematical, logical, or relational operations on operands (values or variables).

Example:

int a = 10, b = 5;
int sum = a + b; // '+' is an arithmetic operator

Here,

• a and b are operands
• + is the operator
• sum is the result

Types of Operators in Java

Java provides several categories of operators:

1. Arithmetic Operators

Used for basic mathematical operations.

Example:

int a = 10, b = 3;
System.out.println(a + b);
System.out.println(a / b);
System.out.println(a % b);

2. Assignment Operators

Used to assign values to variables.

They can also perform an operation while assigning.

3. Unary Operators

Used with a single operand to perform increment, decrement, or negation.

Example:

int a = 5;
System.out.println(++a); // 6
System.out.println(a--); // 6, then a = 5
System.out.println(-a);  // -5

4. Relational Operators

Used to compare two values, returning a boolean result (true or false).

5. Logical Operators

Used to combine multiple boolean expressions.

Example:

int a = 10, b = 20;
System.out.println(a > 5 && b > 15); // true
System.out.println(a < 5 || b > 15); // true
System.out.println(!(a == b));       // true

6. Bitwise Operators

Work at bit level (0s and 1s).

Used for low-level programming, encryption, and optimization.

Example:

int a = 5, b = 3;
System.out.println(a & b); // 1
System.out.println(a | b); // 7
System.out.println(a ^ b); // 6
System.out.println(a << 1); // 10
System.out.println(a >> 1); // 2

7. Ternary Operator (Conditional Operator)

A short form of if-else.

Syntax:

variable = (condition) ? value_if_true : value_if_false;

Example:

int age = 20;
String result = (age >= 18) ? "Eligible" : "Not Eligible";
System.out.println(result);

8. instanceof Operator

Checks whether an object belongs to a particular class or subclass.

String name = "Java";
boolean check = name instanceof String;
System.out.println(check); // true

9. Operator Precedence & Associativity

Determines the order in which operators are executed in complex expressions.

Example:

int result = 10 + 5 * 2;  // result = 20, not 30

Example Program

public class JavaOperators {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 10, b = 5;

        System.out.println("Arithmetic: " + (a + b));
        System.out.println("Relational: " + (a > b));
        System.out.println("Logical: " + (a > 0 && b > 0));
        System.out.println("Bitwise AND: " + (a & b));
        System.out.println("Ternary: " + ((a > b) ? "A is greater" : "B is greater"));
    }
}

Output:

Arithmetic: 15
Relational: true
Logical: true
Bitwise AND: 0
Ternary: A is greater

🏆 Top 5 Java Interview Questions - Operators in Java

1. What is an operator in Java?

Answer: An operator is a symbol that tells the compiler to perform mathematical, logical, or relational operations on operands (variables or values).

Example:

int a = 10, b = 5;
int sum = a + b; // '+' is an arithmetic operator

• a and b → operands
• + → operator
• sum → result

2. Name the main types of operators in Java.

Answer: Java operators can be classified into several categories:

3. What is the difference between unary, binary, and ternary operators?

Answer:

4. Explain the difference between logical and bitwise operators in Java.

Answer:

Example:

int a = 5, b = 3;
System.out.println(a & b);  // 1 → bitwise AND
System.out.println(a > 0 && b > 0); // true → logical AND

5. What is the ternary operator and how is it used?

Answer: The ternary operator (?:) is a short form of if-else used to assign values based on a condition.

Syntax:

variable = (condition) ? value_if_true : value_if_false;

Example:

int age = 20;
String result = (age >= 18) ? "Eligible" : "Not Eligible";
System.out.println(result); // Eligible