What are bitwise operators in Python?

What are bitwise operators in Python?

Bitwise operators in Python are used to perform operations on binary numbers. They include AND, OR, NOT, XOR, and bit shifts.

Can you give me an example of how to use the AND operator?

Sure! The AND operator (&) compares each bit of two numbers. For example, 5 & 3 results in 1 because in binary, 5 is 101 and 3 is 011, and the AND operation gives 001.

What about the OR operator?

The OR operator (|) compares each bit and returns 1 if at least one of the bits is 1. For example, 5 | 3 results in 7 because 101 | 011 gives 111.

Are there any practical applications for bitwise operators?

Yes, bitwise operators are often used in low-level programming, graphics, and performance optimization tasks, such as manipulating flags or masks.