Java Operators

Java Operators are the symbols that performs operations. Java contains different types of operators like Arithmetic Operator, Logical Operator, Relational Operator, Bitwise Operators, Shift Operators, Assignment Operators, Conditional Operator, InstanceOf Operator.

OR

In Java, operators are symbols or keywords used to perform operations on variables and values.

Types of Java Operators

1. Arithmetic Operators

Used to perform basic mathematical operations.

Operator
Description
Example
+
Addition
6+3 = 9
Subtraction
6-3 = 3
*
Multiplication
6*3 = 18
/
Division
6/3 = 2
%
Modulus (remainder)
7%3 = 1

Example:


public class ArithmeticExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 10, b = 5;
        System.out.println("Addition: " + (a + b));
        System.out.println("Subtraction: " + (a - b));
        System.out.println("Multiplication: " + (a * b));
        System.out.println("Division: " + (a / b));
        System.out.println("Modulus: " + (a % b));
    }
}

2. Relational (Comparison) Operators

Used to compare two values.

Operator
Description
Example
==
Equal to
6 == 3 → false
!=
Not equal to
6 != 3 → true
>
Greater than
6 > 3 → true
<
Less than
6 < 3 → false
>=
Greater than or equal to
6 >= 3 → true
<=
Less than or equal to
6 <= 3 → false

Example:


public class ComparisonExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int x = 10, y = 20;
        System.out.println(x == y); // false
        System.out.println(x != y); // true
        System.out.println(x > y);  // false
        System.out.println(x < y);  // true
        System.out.println(x >= y); // false
        System.out.println(x <= y); // true
    }
}

3. Logical Operators

Used to combine multiple conditions.

Operator
Description
Example
&&
Logical AND (both true)
(6 > 3) && (7 > 2) → true
!
Logical NOT (negates condition)
!(6 > 3) → false

Example:


public class LogicalExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        boolean condition1 = (5 > 3);
        boolean condition2 = (6 > 10);
        System.out.println(condition1 && condition2); // false
        System.out.println(condition1 || condition2); // true
        System.out.println(!condition1);             // false
    }
}

4. Assignment Operators

Used to assign values to variables.

Operator
Description
Example
=
Assign
a = 5
+=
Add and assign
a += 5 → a = a + 5
-=
Subtract and assign
a -= 5 → a = a - 5
*=
Multiply and assign
a *= 5 → a = a * 5
/=
Divide and assign
a /= 5 → a = a / 5
%=
Modulus and assign
a %= 5 → a = a % 5

Example:


public class AssignmentExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 10;
        a += 5; // a = a + 5
        System.out.println("a += 5: " + a);
    }
}

5. Unary Operators

Operate on a single variable.

Operator
Description
Example
+
Positive
+a
-
Negative
-a
++
Increment (pre/post)
++a, a++
--
Decrement (pre/post)
--a, a--

Example:


public class UnaryExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 5;
        System.out.println("a: " + a);
        System.out.println("++a: " + ++a); // Pre-increment
        System.out.println("a++: " + a++); // Post-increment
        System.out.println("a: " + a);
    }
}

6. Ternary Operator

A shorthand for an if-else condition.

Syntax:


condition ? value1 : value2

Example:


public class TernaryExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 10, b = 20;
        int max = (a > b) ? a : b;
        System.out.println("Maximum value: " + max);
    }
}

Java Operators – Interview Questions

Q 1: What are operators in Java?
Ans: Operators perform operations on variables and values.
Q 2: Name different types of operators in Java.
Ans: Arithmetic, Relational, Logical, Assignment, and Unary.
Q 3: What is an arithmetic operator?
Ans: Operators like +, -, *, / used for calculations.
Q 4: What is a logical operator?
Ans: Operators like &&, ||, ! used for logical conditions.
Q 5: What is the use of assignment operator?
Ans: It assigns values to variables.

Java Operators – Objective Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Which of the following is the correct syntax for the ternary operator in Java?






Q2. What is the result of the following expression: 10 + 30 * 3?






Q3. Which operator is used to compare two values for equality in Java?






Q4. What will be the result of the following Java code?

int x = 5;
x += 3 * 2;






Q5. Which of the following is a bitwise operator in Java?






Related Java Operators Topics