How do bitwise operations perform compared to arithmetic operations?

How do bitwise operations perform compared to arithmetic operations?

Bitwise operations are generally faster than arithmetic operations because they operate directly on the binary representations of numbers.

Can you give me an example of a bitwise operation?

Sure! For instance, the bitwise AND operation (&) takes two binary numbers and performs the AND operation on each pair of corresponding bits.

What are some common use cases for bitwise operations?

Common use cases include setting, clearing, and toggling specific bits in flags, as well as performing efficient calculations like multiplying or dividing by powers of two.

Are there any downsides to using bitwise operations?

Yes, while they are fast, bitwise operations can make code less readable and harder to maintain, especially for those unfamiliar with binary.