Java Operators 📱

Mentor's Note: Operators are the "Action Verbs" of programming. They tell the computer what to do with your data. Whether it's adding a score, checking a password, or repeating a task—it all starts with an Operator! 💡

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🌟 The Scenario: The Smartphone Calculator 📱

Imagine you are building a simple calculator app.

• Arithmetic (The Math): You need buttons for Addition (+), Subtraction (-), and Multiplication (*). These do the heavy lifting of math. ➕
• Comparison (The Decision): Your app needs to ask: "Is the user's input Equal to the correct answer?" (==). ❓
• Logical (The Brain): Your app checks: "Is the battery above 5% AND is the screen on?" (&&). 🧠
• The Result: A smart app that can calculate, compare, and make logical decisions. ✅

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🎨 Visual Logic: The Operator Toolkit

Category	Role	Key Operators
Arithmetic	Math 🧮	+, -, *, /, %
Comparison	Questions ❓	==, !=, >, <, >=, <=
Logical	Thinking 🧠	&& (AND), || (OR), ! (NOT)
Assignment	Storing 📦	=, +=, -=, *=, /=

graph TD
    A[Java Operators 🛠️] --> B[Arithmetic: + - * / %]
    A --> C[Comparison: == != > <]
    A --> D[Logical: && || !]
    A --> E[Assignment: = += -=]

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📖 Concept Explanation

1. Arithmetic Operators 🧮

Standard math operators. Note the Modulus (%) which returns the Remainder (e.g., 10 % 3 = 1).

2. Comparison Operators ❓

These always return a boolean (true or false). They are the foundation of decision-making.

3. Logical Operators 🧠

Used to combine multiple comparisons. - AND (&&): Both sides must be true. - OR (||): At least one side must be true. - NOT (!): Flips the result (True becomes False).

4. Increment & Decrement ⬆️⬇️

x++ is shorthand for x = x + 1. It is used millions of times in loops!

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💻 Implementation: The Calculator Lab

Java (JDK 17+)

// 🛒 Scenario: A mini-calculator check
// 🚀 Action: Using different operators together

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 10, b = 3;

        // 🧮 Arithmetic
        System.out.println("Remainder (10 % 3): " + (a % b)); // Result: 1

        // 📦 Assignment Shorthand
        int score = 50;
        score += 10; // score = 60

        // ❓ Comparison
        boolean isGreater = (a > b); // true

        // 🧠 Logical
        boolean canVote = (a >= 18 && isGreater); // false

        System.out.println("Can Vote: " + canVote);
    }
}

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📊 Sample Dry Run (Logic)

Step	Instruction	Logic	Result
1	int x = 5;	Store 5	x = 5 📦
2	x += 5;	Add 5 to x	x = 10 ➕
3	x > 15	Is 10 > 15?	false ❌
4	!(x > 15)	Flip 'false'	true ✅

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📈 Technical Analysis: Operator Precedence 🧠

Just like in school math (BODMAS/PEMDAS), Java follows a specific order. 1. Parentheses () always go first. 2. Multiplication/Division * / % come before Addition/Subtraction + -. 3. Comparison happens after Math. 4. Logical happens last.

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🎯 Practice Lab 🧪

Task: The Odd-Even Checker

Task: Write a program that takes a number and uses the Modulus (%) operator to check if it's even. Goal: If number % 2 == 0, it’s even! 💡

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💡 Interview Tip 👔

"Interviewers love this: 'What is the difference between == and .equals()?' Answer: == compares the Memory Address (useful for numbers), but .equals() compares the Actual Content (useful for Strings). Never use == for Strings!"

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💡 Pro Tip: "Increment (++) and Decrement (--) are your best friends in loops. Master them early!" - Vishnu Damwala

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