Practical C Programming, 3rd Edition

Glossary

Symbols

!

The logical NOT operator.

!=

Not-equal relational operator.

"

See Double quote.

%

The modulus operator.

&

1) The bitwise AND operator.

2) A symbol used to precede a variable name (as in &x). Means the address of the named variable (address of x). Used to assign a value to a pointer variable.

&&

The logical AND operator (used in comparison operations).

'

See Single quote.

*

1) The MULTIPLY operator.

2) A symbol used to precede a pointer variable name that means “get the value stored at the address pointed to by the pointer variable.” (*x means “get the value stored at x“). Sometimes known as the dereferencing operator or indirect operator.

+

The ADD operator.

++

The incrementation operator.

,

The comma character is an obscure C operator that can be used to connect two statements together as one.

-

The subtract operator.

--

The decrementation operator.

->

Used to obtain a member from a class or structure pointer.

/

The divide operator.

<

Less than relational operator.

<<

The left shift operator.

<=

Less than or equal relational operator.

==

Equal relational operator.

>

Greater than relational operator.

>=

Greater than or equal relational operator.

>>

The right shift operator.

? :

C operators to allow a conditional inside an expression. Rarely used.

^

The bitwise exclusive OR operator.

\

Character used in strings to signal a special character.

\b

Backspace character (moves the cursor back one on most output devices).

\f

Form feed character. (On most printers, this character will eject a page. On many terminals, this character ...