Python Operators

Python is one of the widely used programming languages in today's world. It has been used to write large, commercial-style applications, instead of just Banel ones. World-class companies that are using Python to develop their application and platform are Google, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Quora, Netflix, Dropbox, Industrial Light, magic, Youtube, Google search engine, etc.

In this tutorial, we are going to discuss a concept called “Operators” in the Python programming language. Operators are the foundation of any programming language. We have different types of operators in Python, such as Arithmetic, Assignment, Logical, Comparison (relational), Bitwise, Identity, and membership operators.

Before going into the details of Python Operators, let’s have a glance over some of the essential topics which could help us in a better understanding of the entire Operators topic.

Python Operators - Table of Contents

What is an Operator in general? What is meant by an Operator in Python? Types of operators in Python Arithmetic operators Comparison operators Assignment operators Logical operators Bitwise operators Membership operators Python Identity operators FAQ's

What is an Operator in general?

In general, an operator is defined as a Character used in Mathematics or in Programming to execute a specific function. For example, operators are used differently in different fields. Let's check out two of the fields here.

In Mathematics: Let's consider “x” as an operator in mathematics that executes the function called multiplication.  

In Programming: Let's consider one of the popular operators used in computer programming languages, which is a Boolean operator used to express whether a statement is true or false.

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What is meant by an Operator in Python?

These are the special symbols in python and are used to execute an Arithmetic or Logical computation. An operator alone cannot perform an activity, it needs an Operand. What is an operand? An Operand is a value that the operator needs to complete a task.

To understand it clearly, let’s consider an example over here.

>>>10/2       
5

Here, in the above example, we have used a Python Operator called / (Division). 10 and 2 are called as operands. The number 5 is called as output of the above execution.

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Types of operators in Python

We have multiple operators in Python, and each operator is subdivided into other operators. Let’s list them down and know about each operator in detail.

• Arithmetic operators
• Comparison operators
• Assignment operators
• Logical operators
• Bitwise operators
• Membership operators
• Special operators
  • Identity operators
  • Membership operators

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Arithmetic operators

Arithmetic operators are used for executing the mathematical functions in Python which includes, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.

Let us know the various Arithmetic operators and their purpose in Python from the below table.

Operator	Description	Example
+Plus	Adds two Operands.	3+3= 6
-Minus	Right hand Operand subtracted from the left hand operand.	20-10=10
* Multiplication	It Multiplies the values on either side of the operands.	10*10 = 100
/ Division	left hand operand divided by right hand operand.	50/5 = 10
% Percent	It divides the left hand operand by right hand one and also returns reminder.	6/2 = 3
// Floor division	Division that results into whole number adjusted to the left in the number line.	>>> 5.0 / 2 2.5 >>> 5.0 /2 2.0
** Exponent	Left operand is raised to the power of right	10 to the power of 30

Let’s examine different arithmetic operators with examples

1) Python (+) Addition operator

Addition operator in python is being used to add two operands (values) in python programming. Look at the below program to know how it works.

Program

 X = 10
  Y = 20
  # output: x + y = 30
  print ( ‘x + y =’, x + y )

When you execute the above program, you will get the below output.

Run

x + y = 30

2) Python (-) Subtraction operator

In python programing, the operator, Subtraction is used to execute a mathematical function which subtracts the right hand operand from the left hand one.

Program:

x = 10  
y = 20
# output: x - y = - 10
print (‘x - y =’, x - y )

Run

x - y = - 10

3) Python (*) Multiplication operator

It is used in python programming to multiply the values and thereby to get output. Let's consider the below program to understand the multiplication operator.

Program

x = 10  
 y = 20
 # output: x * y = 200
 print (‘x * y =’, x * y )

Run

x * y = 200

4) Python (/) Division operator

Division operator is used to divide the left hand operand by right hand one.

x = 10
y = 20

i.e x/y (10/20 = 0.5 )

Let’s consider it in python way

Program

  x = 10  
 y = 20
 # output: x / y = 0.5
 print (‘x / y =’, x / y )

Run

x / y =  0.5

5) Python (%) Percentail operator

The Percentile (%) is the string formatting operator in python, and it is also called as a interpretation operator. It divides the left hand operand by right hand one and also returns reminder. Ex: x/y

Program

 x = 20  
 y = 10
 # output: x % y = 0.
 print (‘x % y =’, x % y ) 

Run

x % y = 0

6)Python (//) Floor division operator

The Floor Operator is used to make a whole number adjusted to the left hand side in the number line.

Let's check the below program to know how a floor operator works in Python

Program

x = 50
y = 20
# Output: x // y = 2
print('x // y =',x//y)

Run

x // y = 2

Note:( In the above program, actual value that we get is 2.5, but to match the requirements of the Floor operator, we had to adjust it to the left side, i,e, 2.5 to 2)

 

7) Python (**) Exponent operator

Exponent operator is used in Python to perform exponential (power) calculations by using operators. Let's look into this concept with the help of a program.

Program

x = 10
y = 4
# output: x ** y =
print (‘x ** y =’, x ** y )

Run

x ** y = 10,000

Python Comparison Operators

The name itself is explaining that this operator is used to compare different things or values with one another. In Python, the Comparison operator is used to analyze either side of the values and decides the relation between them. Comparison operator is also termed as a relational operator because it explains the connection between them.

We have different Comparison (Relational) operators. Let’s list them down and get to know each operator in detail.

• == Equal
• != Not Equal
• <> Two Operands are not equal
• > Greater Than
• < Less Than
• >= Greater Than or Equal to
• <= Less Than or Equal to

Before jumping into the details of comparison, let’s consider two values which could help us in understanding each one

Assume: x = 20, y = 25

1) Python (==) Equal Comparison Operator

Equal operator is used to compare the two values and to give the result whether they are equal or not. If both the values are equal, then it gives the result as True, if not False.

Let's consider below program.

Program

x = 20
y = 25
# Output: x == y is False
print('x == y is',x==y)

Run:

x == y is False

2) Python (!=) Not Equal Comparison Operator

This Not equal operator is used to compare two operands and returns True statement if they are Not equal, and False if they are Equal.

Program

x = 20
 y = 25  
# Output: x != y is True
print('x != y is',x!=y)

Run:

x != y is true 

Note: In the above program, the two values are not equal to one another, the Not equal operator is exclusively used to return the True statement if the values are not equal.

3) Python (>) Greater Than Operator

This operator is mainly used in Python to return true if the Left hand value is greater than right one. If left hand operand is greater than right hand operand, it returns True as the output.

Ex: 10 is > 8, then the answer becomes True

10 is > 12, then the answer becomes False

Program:

ex :

x = 20
 y = 25  
# Output: x > y is False
print('x > y  is',x>y)

Run:

 x > y is False 

4) Python (<) Less Than Operator

This Operator compares the right hand operator with the left hand one and if the right hand one is greater than the left hand one, it returns True statement.

Ex: 10 is < 12, then the answer becomes True

10 is < 8, then the answer becomes False

Program:

x = 20
 y = 25  
# Output: x < y is True
print('x < y  is',x<y)

Run:

x < y is True

5) Python >= Greater Than or Equal to operator

Greater than operator is used in python to evaluate to True if the left hand operand is >= (greater than or equal) to right hand one

Program:

x = 20
 y = 25 
# Output: x >= y is False
print('x >= y is',x>=y)

Run:

x >= y. Hence it is  False 

6) Python <= Less than or equal to operator

Less than or equal to operator returns true if the right hand operator is greater than or equal to left hand one.

Program:

 x = 20
 y = 25 
# Output: x <= y is True
print('x <= y is',x<=y)

Run:

x <=y is True

Python Assignment Operators

Assignment operator is used to assign value to the event, property, or variable. We use this operator in python to assign values to variables. We have multiple Assignment operators. Let’s list them down and know things better.

• = Assign Value
• += Add AND
• -= Subtract AND
• *= Multiply AND
• /= Divide AND
• %= Modulus AND
• **= Exponent AND
• //= Floor Division

1) Python (=) Assign value Operator

This operator assigns values to the left hand operand from the right side operand.

Example: 5 = 2+3

In the above example, the right hand operands are 2 & 3, and have contributed to construct value 5.

2) Python (+=) Add AND Operator

It adds the value of right operand to the value of left hand operand.

Let's consider an example; x = 10, x + = 5, which will return the value as 15 by adding the right side value to the left hand one. Therefore, the answer is x= 15.

3) Python(-=) Subtract AND Operator

Subtract And operator (-=) subtracts the value of left operand from the right side operand and returns the output.

x = 10, y -= 7, the answer is x = 3

 

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4) Python (*=) Multiply AND Operator

It multiplies the left hand operand with the right hand one and returns the value as output.

Example; 

 x = 10, x*=5, the answer is x = 50.

5) Python (/=) Divide AND Operator

Divide And operator divides the left hand operand with the right hand operand value and gives the result

Example; 

x = 10, x/= 5 the result is x = 2

6) Python (%=) Modulus AND Operator

It divides the value of left hand operand with the right hand one and the reminder that we get through this task will be placed as a value of x.

Example; 

x = 10, x%= 5 the result is x = 0

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7) Python **= Exponent AND operator

It gives us the exponential value of the left hand operand when raised to the power of the value found in the right hand side.

Example; 

x = 10, x**= 5 the result is x = 1,00,000

8) Python (//=) Floor Division

Floor division divides the value found in the left hand side with the value of right hand operand. The integer value becomes the left hand Operand value.

Example; 

x = 7, x//= 4 the result is x = 1

Python logical Operators

Logical operators are used in any programming language to make decision based on multiple conditions. In python, we use Logical operators to determine whether a condition is True or False by taking Operand values as base. Let’s consider different logical operators that are used in python programming.

• And - Logical AND
• Or - Logical OR
• Not - Logical NOT

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1) Python and Logical AND operator

AND operator returns the logical value ‘True’ when two Operands are true; otherwise, it will return False.

Ex:  variable A = 10, B = 20,

x = 10
y = 20
# Output: x and y is True 
print('x and y is',x and y)

Output:

Ans: A and B is True

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2) Python or Logical OR operator

In this Logical OR operator, if any one of the two operands are non zero, then it returns the True condition. .

Ex: variable A = 10, B = 20,

Program

x = 10
y = 20
# Output: x or y is True
print('x or y is',x or y)

Output:

Ans: a or b is True

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3) Python not Logical NOT

Logical NOT is used to reverse the logical state of its operands.

Program

x = 10
y = 20
# Output: not x is False
print('not x is',not x)

Output:

Ans: Not (a and b) is false.

Python Bitwise operators

Bitwise operators are used in python to perform the operations on binary numerals or bit patterns. It operates bit by bit.

• & Binary AND
• | Binary OR
• ^ Binary XOR
• ~ Binary Ones Complement
• << Binary Left Shift
• >> Binary Right Shif

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1) Python & Binary AND Bitwise Operator

Description: This operator performs bit by bit AND operations on the values on either side of the operator.

Example Program

a = 10
b = 4
# Print bitwise AND operation   
print(a & b)

Output: 0

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2) Python | Binary OR Bitwise Operator

Description: This operator performs bit by bit OR operations on the values on either side of the operator.

Example Program

a = 10
b = 4
# Print bitwise OR operation
print(a | b)

Output: 14

3) Python ^ Binary XOR Bitwise Operator

Description: This operator performs bit by bit exclusive OR operations on the values on either side of the operator.

Example Program

a = 10
b = 4
# print bitwise XOR operation 
print(a ^ b)

Output: 14

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4) Python ~ Binary Ones Complement Bitwise Operator

Description: The one’s complement of a number’s binary is returned.

Example Program:

a = 10
b = 4
# Print bitwise NOT operation 
print(~a)

Output: -11

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5) Python << Binary Left shift Bitwise Operator

Description: The value to the left operator is shifted to the left as many times as the value on the right side of the operator.

Example Program

a = 10
b = 4
# print bitwise left shift operation 
print(a << 2)

Output: 40

6) Python >> Binary Right shift Bitwise Operator

Description: The value to the left of the operator is shifted to the right as many times as the value on the right of the operator.

a = 10
b = 4
# print bitwise right shift operation 
print(a >> 2)

Output: 2

Python Membership operators

Membership Operators are mainly used in python to find whether a value or variable is present in a sequence (string, tuple, list, set, and directory). “In” and “Not In” are the two membership operators available in python.

Let’s get to know each operator in detail.

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1) Python In Membership Operator

This In operator is used in python to evaluate if a particular value is there or not in a sequence. The In operator returns True if it the specified element found in the list, otherwise it returns false.

Let’s consider a python program on how In operator works.

Program

a  = 10
b  =  7 
list = [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9..) 

If (a is in list):
   print: line - 1 “a is presented in the list” 
else 
    print: line - 1 “a is not presented in the list”
If (b is in list):
   print: line - 2 “b is presented in the list” 
else 
    print: line - 2 “b is not presented in the list”

When you are done with the execution of above program, you will get the below output:

Line - 1- a is not available in the list. Hence False.
Line - 2- b is  available in the list. Hence True  

2) python Not in Membership Operator

“Not in” operator, the name itself is expressing the meaning that something is not inside. It goes through a particular sequence to find weather a value is in the specified list or not. If it finds there is no such value, it returns True, otherwise False.

Let’s consider a python program on how Not In operator works:

Program

# Not ‘in’ Operator  
x = 23
y = 20 
list = [10, 15,20,  30, 35, 40,45, 50]; 
if (x is not in list)
   print: “ x is not available in the list” 
else 
   print: “ x is available in the  given list” 
if (y is not in list)
   print: “ y is not available in the  given list” 
else 
   print: “ y is available in the given list” 

Run:

Line 1 - x is not there in given list. Hence True.
Line 2 - y is there in given list. Hence False.

Python Identity operators

We have two identity operators in python namely is and is not. These are also called as special operators and are used to find if two identical values (or variables) located on the same part of the memory or not. If two variables are equal, that does not mean they are identical. We have two different operators.

1) Python is Identity operator

This operator returns true statement if two identical operands reside in the same memory, otherwise false.

Let's look at the small program on how the 'is' is used in python.

example

x = 6
if (type(x) is int):
    print ("true")
else:
    print ("false")

Output

True

2) Python Is not Identity operator

It will return false if either side of the operator pointing towards the same thing, otherwise it returns true.

Let's look at the program to know how Is not operator will work;

x = 4.5 
If (type (x) is not int) : 
Print (“true”) 
else:
    print ("false")

Output

True

Python Operators FAQ’s

1) What are the operands that are permitted with logical operators in Python?

Ans: We have three different logical operators which are supported by python, and they are, and logical And, or logical OR, & not logical NOT.

2) What is the difference between “is” and “ == “ in Python?

Ans: == operator is used in python to check for value equality of both the operands whereas is an operator is used to express whether the two operands are pointing towards the same object or not.

3) What does == mean in Python?

Ans: == is a python comparison operator. It is mainly used to check whether the values of two operands are equal or not. If the value is equal, then the condition becomes true.

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4) What is operator precedence in Python?

Ans: Operator precedence is a predetermined order used to resolve the problem called multiple operations at a single time. Every part is examined and addressed in a predefined manner. Parentheses are used to override the order of precedence, and some parts are evaluated after others.

5) Which operator has the highest precedence in Python?

Ans: () parentheses has the highest precedence in python.

6) Which operator has the lowest precedence Python?

Ans: Logical OR has the lowest precedence in python.

7)What is Floor Division Python?

Ans: The Floor Operator is used to make a Division that results in the whole number adjusted to the left in the number line.

ex: When 5 is divided by 2, the answer is 2.5

When you apply floor division to it, it becomes 2 (left side adjustment).

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8)Is there a "not equal" operator in Python?

Ans: Yes! We have Not equal operator in python, and it is used to compare two operands and returns True statement if they are Not equal, and False if they are Equal.

9) What does <> mean in Python?

Ans: != or <> both symbols are used for expressing the not equal.

<> It returns true statement if both the operands are false, otherwise false.

10)When programming in Python operators with the same precedence are evaluated in which manner?

Ans: When two python operators have the same precedence, you use associativity to determine the order. Almost all operators have associativity of left to right. For example, multiplication and division have the same precedence. So, the operator on the left will be evaluated first.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have covered all the operators with example programs, and also how they are useful for programming in python. Each operator is unique and performs a separate set of functions to make python a successful programming language. This guide provides examples depicting the usage of each operator as well as answering commonly asked questions about python. I hope this tutorial has helped you in gaining knowledge on different operators and their purpose. Happy learning!

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