Python is one of the most popular programming languages for beginners and professionals alike, as it is simple, easy to learn, and versatile. One of the fundamental concepts in Python is operators.
Operators are symbols or keywords that perform operations on variables and values. These operations can be arithmetic, logical, comparison-based, or something else entirely.
If you are new to Python, understanding the different types of operators is essential. This guide will explain the types of operators in Python with examples so you can follow along easily.
1. Arithmetic Operators
Arithmetic operators are used to perform basic mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more.
Here are the arithmetic operators in Python:
| Operator | Symbol | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | + |
a + b |
Adds two numbers |
| Subtraction | - |
a - b |
Subtracts the second number from the first |
| Multiplication | * |
a * b |
Multiplies two numbers |
| Division | / |
a / b |
Divides the first number by the second (returns float) |
| Floor Division | // |
a // b |
Divides and returns the integer part of the result |
| Modulus | % |
a % b |
Returns the remainder of a division |
| Exponentiation | ** |
a ** b |
Raises the first number to the power of the second |
Example:
# Arithmetic Operators Example
x = 10
y = 3
print("Addition: ", x + y) # 13
print("Subtraction: ", x - y) # 7
print("Multiplication: ", x * y) # 30
print("Division: ", x / y) # 3.3333
print("Floor Division: ", x // y) # 3
print("Modulus: ", x % y) # 1
print("Exponentiation: ", x ** y) # 1000
2. Comparison Operators
Comparison operators are used to compare two values, these operators return either True or False depending on the comparison result.
| Operator | Symbol | Example | Description |
| Equal to | == |
a == b |
Checks if two values are equal |
| Not Equal to | != |
a != b |
Checks if two values are not equal |
| Greater than | > |
a > b |
Checks if the first value is greater |
| Less than | < |
a < b |
Checks if the first value is smaller |
| Greater than or equal to | >= |
a >= b |
Checks if the first value is greater or equal |
| Less than or equal to | <= |
a <= b |
Checks if the first value is smaller or equal |
Example:
# Comparison Operators Example
x = 10
y = 5
print("Equal to: ", x == y) # False
print("Not Equal to: ", x != y) # True
print("Greater than: ", x > y) # True
print("Less than: ", x < y) # False
print("Greater or Equal: ", x >= y) # True
print("Less or Equal: ", x <= y) # False
3. Logical Operators
Logical operators are used to combine conditional statements, these operators return either True or False.
| Operator | Keyword | Example | Description |
| AND | and |
a > 5 and a < 10 |
Returns True if both conditions are True |
| OR | or |
a > 5 or a < 3 |
Returns True if at least one condition is True |
| NOT | not |
not(a > 5) |
Reverses the result (True to False or False to True) |
Example:
# Logical Operators Example
x = 7
y = 10
print("AND: ", x > 5 and y < 15) # True
print("OR: ", x > 10 or y < 15) # True
print("NOT: ", not(x > 5)) # False
4. Assignment Operators
Assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. You can also use them to perform operations and assign the result in one step.
| Operator | Symbol | Example | Equivalent to |
| Assign | = |
a = 5 |
Assigns value 5 to a |
| Add and assign | += |
a += 3 |
a = a + 3 |
| Subtract and assign | -= |
a -= 2 |
a = a - 2 |
| Multiply and assign | *= |
a *= 4 |
a = a * 4 |
| Divide and assign | /= |
a /= 2 |
a = a / 2 |
| Modulus and assign | %= |
a %= 3 |
a = a % 3 |
| Exponentiate and assign | **= |
a **= 2 |
a = a ** 2 |
Example:
# Assignment Operators Example
x = 10
x += 5 # x = x + 5
print("After +=: ", x) # 15
x -= 3 # x = x - 3
print("After -=: ", x) # 12
x *= 2 # x = x * 2
print("After *=: ", x) # 24
x /= 4 # x = x / 4
print("After /=: ", x) # 6.0
5. Bitwise Operators
Bitwise operators are used to perform operations on binary numbers (bits). These are advanced operators but can be useful in certain situations.
| Operator | Symbol | Example | Description |
| AND | & |
a & b |
Performs bitwise AND operation |
| OR | ` | a | b |
Performs bitwise OR operation |
| XOR | ^ |
a ^ b |
Performs bitwise XOR operation |
| NOT | ~ |
~a |
Performs bitwise NOT operation |
| Left Shift | << |
a << 2 |
Shifts bits to the left |
| Right Shift | >> |
a >> 2 |
Shifts bits to the right |
Example:
# Bitwise Operators Example
a = 6 # Binary: 110
b = 3 # Binary: 011
print("AND: ", a & b) # 2 (Binary: 010)
print("OR: ", a | b) # 7 (Binary: 111)
print("XOR: ", a ^ b) # 5 (Binary: 101)
print("NOT: ", ~a) # -7 (Binary: ...11111001)
print("Left Shift: ", a << 1) # 12 (Binary: 1100)
print("Right Shift: ", a >> 1) # 3 (Binary: 011)
6. Membership Operators
Membership operators are used to check if a value exists in a sequence, like a list, tuple, or string.
| Operator | Keyword | Example | Description |
| IN | in |
x in y |
Returns True if x exists in y |
| NOT IN | not in |
x not in y |
Returns True if x does not exist in y |
Example:
# Membership Operators Example my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] print(3 in my_list) # True print(6 not in my_list) # True
7. Identity Operators
Identity operators are used to compare the memory location of two objects.
| Operator | Keyword | Example | Description |
| IS | is |
x is y |
Returns True if both objects are the same |
| IS NOT | is not |
x is not y |
Returns True if objects are different |
Example:
# Identity Operators Example a = [1, 2, 3] b = a c = [1, 2, 3] print(a is b) # True (Same object) print(a is c) # False (Different objects) print(a is not c) # True
Conclusion
Operators in Python are essential tools for performing different types of operations. Whether you are working with numbers, conditions, or objects, Python provides a variety of operators to make your code efficient and clear.
By understanding arithmetic, comparison, logical, assignment, bitwise, membership, and identity operators, you are now ready to write more powerful Python programs. Practice these operators with examples, and you will become confident in no time!
