Why is java int allowed to use the | operator ? How does it evaluate?

Question

I tried compiling and running the following code

public static void main(String... args) {
    int x = 1 | 2 | 3 | 4;
    //int x = 1 | 1 | 1 ;
    //int x = 1 | 2 ;
    //int x = 2 | 1 ;
    System.out.println(x);
}

I tried in dot net and its not working how come its working in java ?? How is this code being evaluated to produce an answer ??

In what unstated .NET language does OR-ing integers not work? — user207421, May 15 '13 at 10:37
It's a bitwise OR operation. 3|4 = 7 http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3312611/operator-in-java — David, May 15 '13 at 10:39

score 7 · Answer 1 · answered May 15 '13 at 10:37

7

1 | 2 = 00000001 | 00000010 = 00000011 = 3
3 | 3 = 00000011 | 00000011 = 00000011 = 3
3 | 4 = 00000011 | 00000100 = 00000111 = 7

answered May 15 '13 at 10:37

gluckonavt

236
1
4

1

I suggest to change `00000011` into `0b00000011` – johnchen902 May 15 '13 at 10:38

AllTooSir · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-15T10:42:08.960

5

That is called bitwise operator in Java. It operates on the bits of the operands.The bitwise | operator performs a bitwise inclusive OR operation.

If you observer the lower order bits :

Biwise OR of each of them will produce 0111 which is 7.You can refer to the JLS 15.22.1 for more.

edited May 15 '13 at 10:42

answered May 15 '13 at 10:36

AllTooSir

48,828
16
130
164

ya right, I was confused when it couldnt compile in `dot net`. sorry :( – Girish Nair May 15 '13 at 10:41

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 15 '13 at 10:37

0

This is example of bitwise inclusive OR or operator. And the result will be 7.

1 - 0001
2 - 0010
3 - 0011
4 - 0100
---------
7 - 0111

I do not know how did you used it in "dot net", but it should work. This reading prove it

answered May 15 '13 at 10:37

Damian Leszczyński - Vash

30,365
9
60
95

Why is java int allowed to use the | operator ? How does it evaluate?

3 Answers3