Operator Precedence and Associativity

Determines the order in which operators are evaluated in an expression.

Example:

int x = 10 + 5 * 2; // Multiplication happens before addition

Associativity Rules:

• Left to Right: Most binary operators like +, -, *, etc.
• Right to Left: Unary operators, assignment operators

Operator Overloading

C++ allows defining new behavior for existing operators for user-defined types (covered in advanced sections).

Example:

class Complex {

public:

    int real, imag;

    Complex(int r, int i) : real(r), imag(i) {}

    Complex operator + (Complex const &obj) {

        return Complex(real + obj.real, imag + obj.imag);

    }

};

Advantages of Using Operators

1. Simplifies Mathematical and Logical Expression Writing
   Operators allow you to perform complex arithmetic and logical operations easily. They help in writing clear and compact expressions without the need for verbose function calls.
2. Enhances Code Readability
   Using familiar symbols like +, -, ==, and && makes code intuitive and easier to follow. Well-used operators improve how quickly a reader can understand the logic of a program.
3. Reduces Use of Lengthy if-else and Loops
   Conditional and logical operators allow for concise decision-making, eliminating the need for multiple nested if-else blocks or long loop conditions in many scenarios.
4. Enables Powerful Bit-Level Manipulations
   Bitwise operators (&, |, ^, <<, >>) provide deep control over data at the binary level. This is crucial for tasks like setting flags, manipulating individual bits, and optimizing memory usage.
5. Makes Expressions Concise and Efficient
   Operators reduce the number of lines required to perform operations. For example, a += 5 is shorter and more efficient than a = a + 5.
6. Offers Deep Control Over Program Behavior
   Operators like increment (++), ternary (?:), and assignment chaining (a = b = c) allow precise and compact control over how data flows and decisions are made during execution.

Applications of Operators

1. Used in data manipulation and decision-making.
2. Critical in writing arithmetic logic.
3. Helpful in memory management with pointers.
4. Vital in class operations like overloading and object comparison.
5. Commonly used in loop control and branching.
6. Necessary for defining computational rules in algorithms.

Limitations of Operators

1. Misuse may lead to logical errors.
2. Low readability if overused or complex.
3. Bitwise operations are often hard to debug.
4. Operator precedence can be confusing to beginners.
5. Overloading can increase code complexity if not used wisely.
6. Incompatible operations can result in compilation errors.