Bitwise Operators in Python

Python

Learn Python Programming: A Beginner’s Guide to Coding, Automation, and Data Science

 

What are Bitwise Operators? 

Bitwise operators in Python let you manipulate bits directly! They are like tiny switches that control 1s and 0s.  Imagine you are a hacker in the Matrix, flipping bits like a pro! 

Python provides six bitwise operators:

Operator	Symbol	Meaning
AND	&	Sets each bit to 1 if both bits are 1
OR	`	`
XOR	^	Sets each bit to 1 if only one bit is 1 (not both)
NOT	~	Flips all bits (1 becomes 0, 0 becomes 1)
Left Shift	<<	Shifts bits left (multiplies by 2)
Right Shift	>>	Shifts bits right (divides by 2)

Bitwise AND & 

Returns 1 only if both bits are 1.

x = 5  # 0b0101
y = 3  # 0b0011
result = x & y  # 0b0001 (1 in decimal)
print(result)  # Output: 1
 

Real-life Example:

• Imagine two secret agents pressing buttons to unlock a door. The door only opens if both press their buttons at the same time. 

Bitwise OR | 

Returns 1 if at least one bit is 1.

x = 5  # 0b0101
y = 3  # 0b0011
result = x | y  # 0b0111 (7 in decimal)
print(result)  # Output: 7

Real-life Example:

• If either parent says "yes," you get ice cream! 

Bitwise XOR ^ 

Returns 1 if only one bit is 1 (not both).

x = 5  # 0b0101
y = 3  # 0b0011
result = x ^ y  # 0b0110 (6 in decimal)
print(result)  # Output: 6

Real-life Example:

• A secret handshake  works only when one person extends their hand, not both at the same time.

Bitwise NOT ~ 

Flips all bits (1 becomes 0, and 0 becomes 1). Python uses two’s complement representation, so beware of negative numbers!

x = 5  # 0b0101
result = ~x  # Inverts bits and applies two's complement
print(result)  # Output: -6

Real-life Example:

• Turning lights off in a room where all switches are flipped. 

Left Shift << 

Moves all bits to the left, multiplying the number by 2^n.

x = 3  # 0b0011
result = x << 2  # Shift left by 2 places (multiply by 4)
print(result)  # Output: 12 (0b1100)

Real-life Example:

• Doubling the size of a pizza slice  by stretching it!

Right Shift >> 

Moves all bits to the right, dividing the number by 2^n.

x = 8  # 0b1000
result = x >> 2  # Shift right by 2 places (divide by 4)
print(result)  # Output: 2 (0b0010)

Real-life Example:

• Shrinking a file size  by compressing it.

Summary 

Operator	Symbol	Effect
AND	&	1 if both bits are 1
OR	`	`
XOR	^	1 if only one bit is 1
NOT	~	Flips bits (1 → 0, 0 → 1)
Left Shift	<<	Moves bits left (multiplies by 2)
Right Shift	>>	Moves bits right (divides by 2)

Now you’re a bitwise wizard!  Start flipping those bits like a pro!