Operators in Python

In Python, operators are special symbols that perform operations on variables and values. These operations could be mathematical, logical, or even for comparison. Let’s take a look at the different types of operators and how you can use them in your Python programs.

Types of Operators

Python has several types of operators, each used for different tasks. Here are the main types:

1. Arithmetic Operators: Perform basic math operations (e.g., addition, subtraction).
2. Comparison Operators: Compare two values and return True or False.
3. Assignment Operators: Assign values to variables and update them with operations.
4. Logical Operators: Combine multiple conditions (e.g., AND, OR).
5. Bitwise Operators: Work with binary values.
6. Identity and Membership Operators: Check relationships between data structures.

1. Arithmetic Operators

These operators perform basic mathematical operations:

• +: Adds two values (e.g., 5 + 3 results in 8).
• -: Subtracts one value from another (e.g., 10 - 5 results in 5).
• *: Multiplies two values (e.g., 4 * 3 results in 12).
• /: Divides one value by another (e.g., 10 / 2 results in 5.0).
• %: Returns the remainder after dividing (e.g., 10 % 3 results in 1).
• **: Raises one value to the power of another (e.g., 2 ** 3 results in 8).
• //: Performs floor division (removes the decimal part, e.g., 10 // 3 gives 3).

Example:

a = 10
b = 3
print(a + b)  # Output: 13
print(a - b)  # Output: 7
print(a * b)  # Output: 30
print(a / b)  # Output: 3.33
print(a % b)  # Output: 1
print(a ** b) # Output: 1000
print(a // b) # Output: 3
  

2. Comparison Operators

These operators compare two values and return True or False based on the comparison:

• ==: Checks if two values are equal (e.g., 5 == 5 returns True).
• !=: Checks if two values are not equal (e.g., 5 != 3 returns True).
• >: Checks if one value is greater than another (e.g., 7 > 5 returns True).
• <: Checks if one value is less than another (e.g., 3 < 8 returns True).
• >=: Checks if one value is greater than or equal to another (e.g., 6 >= 6 returns True).
• <=: Checks if one value is less than or equal to another (e.g., 4 <= 5 returns True).

Example:

a = 10
b = 5
print(a == b)  # Output: False
print(a != b)  # Output: True
print(a > b)   # Output: True
print(a < b)   # Output: False
print(a >= b)  # Output: True
print(a <= b)  # Output: False
  

3. Assignment Operators

Assignment operators assign or update values in variables. They are often shorter and more efficient than writing the full statement. Here's a breakdown:

• =: Assigns a value to a variable. Example: x = 10 sets x to 10.
• +=: Adds a value to the current value and assigns the result back. Example:

  x = 10
  x += 5  # Same as x = x + 5
  print(x)  # Output: 15
      

• -=: Subtracts a value from the current value and assigns the result back. Example:

  x = 20
  x -= 8  # Same as x = x - 8
  print(x)  # Output: 12
      

• *=: Multiplies the value by another and assigns the result back. Example:

  x = 5
  x *= 4  # Same as x = x * 4
  print(x)  # Output: 20
      

• /=: Divides by another value and assigns the result. Example:

  x = 16
  x /= 4  # Same as x = x / 4
  print(x)  # Output: 4.0
      

• %=: Assigns the remainder after division. Example:

  x = 17
  x %= 3  # Same as x = x % 3
  print(x)  # Output: 2
      

• //=: Performs floor division and assigns the result back. Example:

  x = 15
  x //= 4  # Same as x = x // 4
  print(x)  # Output: 3
      

• **=: Raises the value to the power of another. Example:

  x = 3
  x **= 2  # Same as x = x ** 2
  print(x)  # Output: 9
      

4. Logical Operators

Logical operators help you combine multiple conditions, making complex decisions easier. They return either True or False based on the conditions:

• and: Returns True only if both conditions are True.
• or: Returns True if at least one condition is True.
• not: Reverses the condition—if it’s True, it becomes False, and vice versa.

How Logical Operators Work:

1. and Operator

The and operator checks if both conditions are True. If either condition is False, the result will be False.

# Example:
age = 25
income = 50000

print(age > 18 and income > 30000)  # Output: True
print(age > 18 and income < 30000)  # Output: False

2. or Operator

The or operator returns True if at least one condition is True, and False if both conditions are False.

# Example:
age = 16
has_permission = True

print(age > 18 or has_permission)  # Output: True
print(age < 18 or has_permission)  # Output: True

3. not Operator

The not operator inverts a condition. If the condition is True, it becomes False, and vice versa.

# Example:
is_sunny = False

print(not is_sunny)  # Output: True
print(not (10 > 5))   # Output: False

Summary

Understanding and using operators effectively is key to solving problems in Python. They allow you to perform calculations, compare values, and combine conditions. Practice these operators to become proficient in Python programming!