Logical Operators

The different logical operators and forming compound Boolean expressions.

Code Bar
`&&`	AND
`\|\|`	OR
`!`	NOT

Logical operators are operators that form compound Boolean expressions that return a Boolean result. Essentially, the AND/OR operations are put in between two existing Boolean expressions and determine a new Boolean result.

The three main logical operators are shown above in the Code Bar. The meanings of these operations are:

&& returns true if both Boolean expressions are true
|| returns true if one of the Boolean expressions are true
! is put in front of a Boolean to reverse its value

Truth tables are tables that represent the outcome of the operations. The truth tables for the AND/OR operations are:

These logical operators have a special syntax, which is shown below:

true && false 		-> false

false || true 		-> true

!false 			-> true

!true 			-> false

Logical operators are most commonly used in conjunction with relational operators, which were described last lesson (Relational Operators). Here is an example:

(4 == 5) || (7 >= 3)

Since (4 == 5) is false, and (7 >= 3) is true, this statement can be further broken down into the following:

false || true		-> true

Looking at the truth tables, we can see that the above expression evaluates to true. Here are some more examples:

(5 > 4) && (6 == 6) 	-> true

(3 <= 2) || (50 != 50) 	-> false

!(6 > 3) 		-> false

These operators are often used in if statements, for loops, and while loops, which we will get to in lessons 12-15, Loops and Conditionals.

Lesson Quiz

What is output to the console in each of the following scenarios?

	int i = 5;

	boolean x = (i > 5) && ((12 * 2) != 24);

	System.out.println(x);

	System.out.println(!((5000 / 10) > 700));

	double y = 3.65;

	System.out.println(((y * 5) < 15) || true);

Written by Chris Elliott

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