• An operator is a symbol or function denoting an operation.

• Operators in programming work similar to the way they do in mathematics, for instance, + for adding two operands or - for subtracting two operands.

• An operand refers to the object (e.g a number) of a mathematical operation.

In C programming there are 9 classes of operators divided as following:

i. Arithmetic Operators

• These are used to perform mathematical calculations.

• +, -, *, /, %

ii. Unary Operators

• They are applied on a single operand.

• -, + e.g. -1 (negative 1)

• ++, --, sizeof (), (typecasting)

iii. Relational Operators

• These are also known as decisional operators.

• <, >, <=, >=

iv. Assignment Operators

• Assigns operand from the right side of the operator to the operand on the left side.

• =, +=, -=, *=, /=, %=

• The expression a = a/5 can be written as a shortcut as a/=5.

v. Equality Operators

• Checks whether two operands are equal or now.

• ==, !=

vi. Logical Operators

• Used to evaluate two or more conditions.

• && (AND), || (OR)

vii. Conditional Operators

• Also known as a ternary operators.

• Used to make a decision based upon an expression.

• They work similar to an if-else statement.

• Uses symbols ? and :

• Syntax:

Condition? True statement:false statement;

• Sample code:

float money;
float cost;

money > cost? printf("You can afford it") : printf("Not Enough");

the other operators are the Bitwise Operator and Comma Operator but they are beyond the scope of this series