Operators in Python

This article we explores about the operators that Python currently supports. You’ll also learn the basics of how to use these operators to build expressions.

In Python, operators are essential components used to perform computations. They consist of symbols, symbol combinations, or keywords. By combining these operators with objects, you create expressions that execute computations. These operators serve as the fundamental elements for manipulating data in Python, making a solid grasp of their functionality crucial for programmers.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn about the operators that Python currently supports. You’ll also learn the basics of how to use these operators to build expressions.

Introduction to Using Operators in Python

Python is a high-level programming language that is widely used by developers to create complex software applications, , and websites. Understanding how to use operators and expressions is a fundamental part of learning Python.

In programming, an operator is usually a symbol or combination of symbols that allows you to perform a specific operation. This operation can act on one or more operands. If the operation involves a single operand, then the operator is unary. If the operator involves two operands, then the operator is binary.

Python divides the operators in the following groups:

• Arithmetic operators

• Assignment operators

• Comparison operators

• Logical operators

• Identity operators

• Membership operators

• Bitwise operators

Python Arithmetic operators

Arithmetic operators are used with numeric values to perform common mathematical operations:

Operator	Name	Example
+	Addition	x + y
-	Subtraction	x - y
*	Multiplication	x * y
/	Division	x / y
%	Modulus	x % y
**	Exponentiation	x ** y
//	Floor division	x // y

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Python Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables:

Operator	Example	Same As
=	x = 5	x = 5
+=	x += 3	x = x + 3
-=	x -= 3	x = x - 3
*=	x *= 3	x = x * 3
/=	x /= 3	x = x / 3
%=	x %= 3	x = x % 3
//=	x //= 3	x = x // 3
**=	x **= 3	x = x ** 3
&=	x &= 3	x = x & 3
|=	x |= 3	x = x | 3
^=	x ^= 3	x = x ^ 3
>>=	x >>= 3	x = x >> 3
<<=	x <<= 3	x = x << 3

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Python Comparison Operators

Comparison operators are used to compare two values:

Operator	Name	Example
==	Equal	x == y
!=	Not equal	x != y
>	Greater than	x > y
<	Less than	x < y
>=	Greater than or equal to	x >= y
<=	Less than or equal to	x <= y

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Python Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to combine conditional statements:

Operator	Description	Example
and	Returns True if both statements are true	x < 5 and x < 10
or	Returns True if one of the statements is true	x < 5 or x < 4
not	Reverse the result, returns False if the result is true	not(x < 5 and x < 10)

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Python Identity Operators

Identity operators are used to compare the objects, not if they are equal, but if they are actually the same object, with the same memory location:

Operator	Description	Example
is	Returns True if both variables are the same object	x is y
is not	Returns True if both variables are not the same object	x is not y

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Python Membership Operators

Membership operators are used to test if a sequence is presented in an object:

Operator	Description	Example
in	Returns True if a sequence with the specified value is present in the object	x in y
not in	Returns True if a sequence with the specified value is not present in the object	x not in y

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Python Bitwise Operators

Bitwise operators are used to compare (binary) numbers:

Operator	Name	Description	Example
&	AND	Sets each bit to 1 if both bits are 1	x & y
|	OR	Sets each bit to 1 if one of two bits is 1	x | y
^	XOR	Sets each bit to 1 if only one of two bits is 1	x ^ y
~	NOT	Inverts all the bits	~x
<<	Zero fill left shift	Shift left by pushing zeros in from the right and let the leftmost bits fall off	x << 2
>>	Signed right shift	Shift right by pushing copies of the leftmost bit in from the left, and let the rightmost bits fall off	x >> 2

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Operator Precedence

Operator precedence describes the order in which operations are performed.

Example

Parentheses has the highest precedence, meaning that expressions inside parentheses must be evaluated first:

print((6 + 3) - (6 + 3))

Output:

0

Example

Multiplication * has higher precedence than addition +, and therefor multiplications are evaluated before additions:

print(100 + 5 * 3)

Output:

115

The precedence order is described in the table below, starting with the highest precedence at the top:

Operator	Description
()	Parentheses
**	Exponentiation
+x -x ~x	Unary plus, unary minus, and bitwise NOT
* / // %	Multiplication, division, floor division, and modulus
+ -	Addition and subtraction
<< >>	Bitwise left and right shifts
&	Bitwise AND
^	Bitwise XOR
|	Bitwise OR
== != > >= < <= is is not in not in	Comparisons, identity, and membership operators
not	Logical NOT
and	AND
or	OR

Conclusion

In conclusion, operators and expressions are essential components of Python programming that developers should master to write efficient and effective programs. By understanding the different types of operators and how to use them in expressions, programmers can perform different types of operations on values or variables, compare values, perform logical operations, assign values, and test membership and identity, among other things. With Python's wide range of operators, developers can create complex programs quickly and easily. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced Python developer, mastering the use of operators and expressions is vital for your programming journey.