Python Reference

Quick Reference

Python bitwise operators are used to compare binary numbers.

OperatorNameDescriptionExample
&ANDSets each bit to 1 if both bits are 1x & y
|ORSets each bit to 1 if one of two bits is 1x | y
^XORSets each bit to 1 if only one of two bits is 1x ^ y
~NOTInverts all the bits~x
<<Zero fill left shiftShift left by pushing zeros in from the right and let the leftmost bits fall offx << 2
>>Signed right shiftShift right by pushing copies of the leftmost bit in from the left, and let the rightmost bits fall offx >> 2

Python Notes:

  • The most recent major version of Python is Python 3; however, Python 2 is still in use and quite popular, although not being updated with anything other than security updates
  • Python uses new lines to complete a command, as opposed to other programming languages which often use semicolons or parentheses
  • Python relies on indentation, using whitespace to define scope, such as the scope of loops, functions, and classes; other programming languages often use curly-brackets for this purpose
  • Python string methods return new values, and DO NOT change the original string

We’d like to acknowledge that we learned a great deal of our coding from W3Schools and TutorialsPoint, borrowing heavily from their teaching process and excellent code examples. We highly recommend both sites to deepen your experience, and further your coding journey. We’re just hitting the basics here at 1SMARTchicken.