Understand the idea

An expression combines values and operators to produce a result. The types of the operands matter: dividing two ints uses integer division, even if you assign the result to a double afterwards. Parentheses make your intended order explicit.

Explore the details

Java Operators

Operators are symbols that tell Java to perform an operation on variables or values. Java groups them into four main categories:

• Arithmetic — perform math: + - * / % ++ --
• Comparison — compare two values, always returns true or false: == != > < >= <=
• Logical — combine boolean expressions: && || !
• Assignment — assign or update a variable's value: = += -= *= /= %=

Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators perform standard math operations between two values. The % (modulus) operator returns the remainder after division — useful for checking if a number is even or odd.

Code anatomy / கோடின் விளக்கம்

Comparison Operators

Comparison operators compare two values and always produce a boolean result — either true or false. They are the building blocks of conditions in if statements and loops.

Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to combine or invert boolean expressions. They are essential for writing complex conditions:

• && (AND) — true only when both sides are true
• || (OR) — true when at least one side is true
• ! (NOT) — inverts the boolean value: !true → false

Assignment Operators

Assignment operators are shorthand for updating a variable. Instead of writing x = x + 5, you can write x += 5. They work for all arithmetic operations.

Compound Assignment Operators

Ternary Operator

The ternary operator ? : is a one-line shorthand for a simple if-else. Syntax: condition ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse

int age = 20;
String status = (age >= 18) ? "Adult" : "Minor";
System.out.println(status);   // Adult

// Same logic written as if-else:
if (age >= 18) {
    status = "Adult";
} else {
    status = "Minor";
}

// Another example — find the larger number
int a = 10, b = 25;
int max = (a > b) ? a : b;
System.out.println("Max: " + max);  // Max: 25

A complete runnable example

This complete Main.java program focuses on the lesson idea. Reference fragments above may demonstrate individual statements; this example includes the imports, entry point, and supporting types it needs.

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        int total = 17;
        int groupSize = 5;
        System.out.println(total / groupSize);
        System.out.println(total % groupSize);
        System.out.println((double) total / groupSize);
    }
}

3
2
3.4

Change it. Run it. Understand it.

Load this lesson example into the editor. Change one value or statement, predict the result, then press RUN to execute Java.

Make it your own

Your learning checkpoint

• Explain the example without reading the output first.
• Make the change requested in the practice task.
• Describe why the result changed—or why compilation failed.

Ready to move on? Follow the next lesson in course order, or return to the curriculum to review a prerequisite.