C Bitwise Operators

Manipulate raw bits directly using AND, OR, XOR, NOT, and shift operators.

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Bitwise operators work at the binary bit level. They are essential for systems programming, device driver development, cryptography, and embedded systems:

& (AND), | (OR), ^ (XOR), ~ (NOT)
<< (Left shift), >> (Right shift)

Key Takeaways: C Bitwise Operators

Mastering C Bitwise Operators helps you write clean and reliable C code. Follow standard conventions, test edge cases, and keep logic simple. Try running the code example below and complete the exercises to build confidence.

C Bitwise Operators Code Example

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    unsigned char a = 5;  // 00000101
    unsigned char b = 9;  // 00001001

    printf("a & b = %d\n", a & b);
    printf("a | b = %d\n", a | b);
    printf("a << 1 = %d\n", a << 1);
    return 0;
}

Output

a & b = 1
a | b = 13
a << 1 = 10

Run this example on your own computer. The "Get Started" lesson shows how to set it up.

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C Bitwise Operators

💡 Key Takeaways: C Bitwise Operators

C Bitwise Operators Code Example

Key Takeaways: C Bitwise Operators