In this tutorial, we are going to talk about operators in Java. Simply put, an operator is a special symbol we can apply to a set of variables, values, or literals and returns a result.

Additionally, we use them to perform different operations on variables and values. For example, if we would like to sum two numerical values, we would use the addition operator (+).

Furthermore, in Java, we distinguish three different operator types: unary, binary, and ternary. Additionally, we can assign them to one, two, or three operands, respectively.

1. Order of Operator Precedence

Before we dive in, let us see how operators are evaluated. In the real world, arithmetic operators (in math) are evaluated from left-to-right order – unless overridden with parentheses. However, the same rule applies in Java.

Java operators follow the order of operation. Furthermore, if two operators have the same level of precedence, then Java guarantees left-to-right evaluation.

2. Unary Operators

Now, let us see what unary operators are. By definition, a unary operator is one that requires exactly one operand (variable). To put it differently, we use these operators on a single variable.

2.1. Increment and Decrement Operators

We can use increment (++) and decrement (–) operators with numeric operands and have the highest order of precedence. In other words, they are often applied first to an expression.

It is important to note these operators require special care – the order they are applied to their associated operands can make a difference in how an expression is processed.

If the operator (++ or –) is placed before the operand (++expression or –expression) we are talking about the pre-unary operators. Similarly, if it is placed after the operand (expression++ or expression–) then it is the post-unary operator.

Furthermore, with pre-increment and pre-decrement operators, the operator is applied first and the value return is a new value of the expression.

int x = 5;
int y = ++x;

In the example above, the value of the y variable will be 6. The value of the variable x will increase by 1 and the new result will be stored in the y variable.

Alternatively, if the operator is placed after the operand, referred to as the post-increment operator and the post-decrement operator, then the original value of the expression is returned, with the operator applied after the value is returned.

int x = 5;
int y = x++;

Here, unlike in the previous example, the value of the y variable will be 5. The post-increment operator returns the original value (5) as the result and then increases the value by 1.

int x = 5;
int y = --x * 2 / x++ + --x;
System.out.println("x is " + x);
System.out.println("y is " + y);

We can simplify the expression to get the value of y:

int y = 4 (x decresed by 1) * 2 / 4 (return x and then the value increses to 5) + 4 (x is 5, but the value decreses and returns)
int y = 4 * 2 / 4 + 4

Secondly, the multiplicative operators will execute before the additive operators:

int y = 8 / 4 + 4 = 2 + 4 = 6

Finally, we got the final value of y which is 6. The x variable has a value of 4.

3. Binary Operators

Additionally, we use binary operators when:

• performing arithmetical operations on variables
• creating logical expression
• assigning values to variables

3.1. Arithmetic Operators

They encountered in early mathematics and include addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/), and modulus (%).

int x = 10;
int y = 3;

int sum = x + y; // 13
int difference = x - y; // 7
int product = x * y; // 30
int quotient = x / y; // 3
int remainder = x % y; // 1

However, we can use arithmetic operators within any primitive data type (except boolean).

3.2. Relational Operators

Let us move to relational operators. They compare two expressions and return a boolean value. Additionally, the result can be either true or false.

Furthermore, we often use them in conditional statements and loops to make decisions based on the result of comparisons.

However, the relational operators from the table above can be only applied to numeric primitive data types.

int a = 5;
int b = 7;

boolean isLessThan = (a < b); // true
boolean isGreaterThan = (a > b); // false

3.3. Equality Operators

Determining equality in Java can be tricky. There is a difference between “two objects are the same” and “two objects are equivalent“. Furthermore, complications arise since there is no such distinction between primitive data types.

However, let us start with the basics – the equals (==) and not equals (!=) operators.

Additionally, they compare two values and return a boolean value.

int a = 5;
int b = 7;

boolean isEqual = (a == b); // false
boolean isNotEqual = (a != b); // true

3.4. Logical Operators

Next, we use logical operators to perform logical operations on boolean values. They allow us to combine or manipulate boolean values to make decisions in our code.

Furthermore, we can use logical operators on both, numerical and boolean data types. When we use them within numerical types, we call them bitwise operators. Additionally, when we use them with logical (boolean) data types, we call them logical operators.

Java has three main logical operators:

For example:

boolean isJavaFun = true;
boolean isLearning = true;

boolean bothAreTrue = isJavaFun && isLearning; // true
boolean eitherIsTrue = isJavaFun || isLearning; // true
boolean isNotFun = !isJavaFun; // false

The && and the || are conditional operators and are also known as short-circuit operators. Java will evaluate the right side of the expression only if the result cannot be determined with the left side of the expression:

boolean isJavaFun = true; 
boolean isLearning = false; 
boolean eitherIsTrue = isJavaFun || isLearning; // true

From the example, we use the || operator that returns true if one of the operands is true. Since the isJavaFun variable returns true, there is no need to check the value of the isLearning variable – we already know the result of the expression will return true.

Moreover, let us try another example:

boolean isJavaFun = false; 
boolean isLearning = true; 
boolean eitherIsTrue = isJavaFun || isLearning; // true

Here, the isJavaFun variable returns false. Thus, we need to evaluate the isLearning variable as well to determine the result.

4. Assignment Operator

We already use the assignment operator within our previous code snippets. Furthermore, it is the most commonly used operator.

Moreover, we use it when we want to assign a value to a variable:

int x = 10;
int y = 5;
x = y; // x now holds the value 5

Furthermore, it can be used in combination with arithmetical operators:

int x = 10; 
int y = 5;
y += 10; // y = y + 10

5. Ternary Operator

The last operator we are going to discuss is the ternary operator. It differs from other operators. Furthermore, it is a conditional operator and it is the only operator that takes three operands.

booleanExpression ? expression1 : expression2

Moreover, the first operand must be a boolean expression, and the second and third can be any expression that returns a value.

int y = 10;
int x = (y == 10) ? 2 : 3;

However, let us translate the code snippet. If y is equal to 10, then the value 2 will be assigned to the x variable, otherwise, the x will be 3.

What’s more, the data types of expression1 and expression2 do not have to be the same. It is important to be the same if we want to save the result in the variable:

String animal = "Dog";
System.out.println(animal.equals("Dog") ? "Wuf" : false);

If the value of the animal variable is “Dog”, we will write “Wuf” in the console. If it is not equal, we will simply write false.

However, if we would like to store the result in the variable, we will encounter the compiler error:

String result = animal.equals("Dog") ? "Wuf" : false;

Thus, we cannot store the boolean value in a variable of String type.

6. Key Takeaways

In this tutorial, we covered the operators in Java.

To sum up, operators are an integral part of Java programming, enabling you to perform a wide range of tasks efficiently and effectively. By understanding and mastering these operators, you’ll have the foundation to write more complex and sophisticated Java programs.

Stay tuned for future blog posts where we’ll dive deeper into each category of operators, exploring their nuances and practical applications in Java programming.