What is the performance impact of bitwise operations?

Can you explain the performance impact of using bitwise operations in programming?

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

Why are they faster? Is it because they require less processing power?

Yes, bitwise operations typically require fewer CPU cycles compared to arithmetic operations, making them more efficient.

Are there specific scenarios where I should prefer bitwise operations over regular arithmetic?

Absolutely! Bitwise operations are particularly useful in low-level programming, graphics, and performance-critical applications.

Can you give an example of a bitwise operation in code?

Sure! For instance, using the AND operation a & b can be used to check if specific bits are set in two numbers.