Operators in C

Operators are special symbols that perform operations on variables and values. Think of them as the tools in your programming toolbox - each one has a specific job to do!

Following are the different types of Operators

1. Arithmetic Operators

These operators perform basic mathematical operations.

Operator	Description	Example
+	Addition	5 + 3 = 8
-	Subtraction	5 - 3 = 2
*	Multiplication	5 * 3 = 15
/	Division	6 / 3 = 2
%	Modulus (remainder)	7 % 3 = 1

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int a = 10, b = 3;
    
    printf("Addition: %d + %d = %d\n", a, b, a + b);
    printf("Subtraction: %d - %d = %d\n", a, b, a - b);
    printf("Multiplication: %d * %d = %d\n", a, b, a * b);
    printf("Division: %d / %d = %d\n", a, b, a / b);
    printf("Modulus: %d %% %d = %d\n", a, b, a % b);
    
    return 0;
}

2. Assignment Operators

These operators assign values to variables.

Operator	Description	Example	Equivalent
=	Simple assignment	x = 5	-
+=	Add and assign	x += 3	x = x + 3
-=	Subtract and assign	x -= 2	x = x - 2
*=	Multiply and assign	x *= 4	x = x * 4
/=	Divide and assign	x /= 2	x = x / 2

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int x = 10;
    
    printf("Initial value: %d\n", x);
    
    x += 5;  // x = x + 5
    printf("After x += 5: %d\n", x);
    
    x *= 2;  // x = x * 2
    printf("After x *= 2: %d\n", x);
    
    return 0;
}

3. Comparison Operators

These operators compare two values and return either true (1) or false (0).

Operator	Description	Example
==	Equal to	5 == 5 returns 1
!=	Not equal to	5 != 3 returns 1
>	Greater than	5 > 3 returns 1
<	Less than	3 < 5 returns 1
>=	Greater than or equal	5 >= 5 returns 1
<=	Less than or equal	3 <= 5 returns 1

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int a = 5, b = 3;
    
    printf("%d == %d is %d\n", a, b, a == b);
    printf("%d > %d is %d\n", a, b, a > b);
    printf("%d < %d is %d\n", a, b, a < b);
    
    return 0;
}

4. Logical Operators

These operators perform logical operations and are commonly used in conditions.

Operator	Description	Example
&&	Logical AND	(5 > 3) && (2 < 4) returns 1
||	Logical OR	(5 < 3) || (2 < 4) returns 1
!	Logical NOT	!(5 > 3) returns 0

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int age = 20;
    int hasLicense = 1;  // 1 means true, 0 means false
    
    // Can drive if age >= 18 AND has license
    if (age >= 18 && hasLicense) {
        printf("Can drive!\n");
    }
    
    // Weekend if day is Saturday OR Sunday
    int day = 6;  // Let's say 6 = Saturday, 7 = Sunday
    if (day == 6 || day == 7) {
        printf("It's weekend!\n");
    }
    
    return 0;
}

5. Increment and Decrement Operators

These operators increase or decrease a variable's value by 1.

Operator	Description	Example
++	Increment by 1	x++ or ++x
--	Decrement by 1	x-- or --x

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int count = 5;
    
    printf("Initial count: %d\n", count);
    
    count++;  // Post-increment
    printf("After count++: %d\n", count);
    
    ++count;  // Pre-increment
    printf("After ++count: %d\n", count);
    
    count--;  // Post-decrement
    printf("After count--: %d\n", count);
    
    return 0;
}

Operator Precedence

Just like in mathematics, operators have an order of precedence. Multiplication and division happen before addition and subtraction, unless you use parentheses to change the order.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int result1 = 2 + 3 * 4;      // Result: 14 (not 20)
    int result2 = (2 + 3) * 4;    // Result: 20
    
    printf("2 + 3 * 4 = %d\n", result1);
    printf("(2 + 3) * 4 = %d\n", result2);
    
    return 0;
}

Remember: When in doubt, use parentheses to make your intentions clear! It makes your code more readable and prevents unexpected results.