Bitwise Right Shift Operators in Java

In Java, bitwise shift operators are used to move the bits of a number to the left or right. The right shift operators move bits toward the right side, which effectively divides the number by powers of two.

• In Java, bitwise shift operators are used to move the bits of a number to the left or right.
• The right shift operators shift bits toward the right side of a number’s binary representation.

4

Explanation:

• 16 in binary is 10000.
• Right shifting by 2 positions gives 00100, which is 4.
• The operator fills leftmost bits based on the sign of the number.

Java provides two types of right shift operators:

Signed Right Shift

The signed right shift operator (>>) shifts bits to the right while preserving the sign bit (most significant bit).

• If the number is positive, 0 is filled on the left.
• If the number is negative, 1 is filled on the left (sign extension).

Syntax

value >> shiftCount

Example: Signed Right Shift with Positive Number

4

Explanation:

• Binary of 16 -> 00010000
• After right shift by 2 -> 00000100 (which is 4)

Example: Signed Right Shift with Negative Number

-4

Explanation: The sign bit (1) is preserved during right shift, so the result remains negative.

Unsigned Right Shift Operator

The unsigned right shift operator (>>>) shifts bits to the right but always fills 0 on the left, regardless of the sign.

• Does not preserve the sign bit
• Converts negative numbers into large positive values

Syntax

value >>> shiftCount

Example: Unsigned Right Shift with Positive Number

4

Explanation: For positive numbers, >> and >>> behave the same.

Example: Unsigned Right Shift with Negative Number

1073741820

Explanation: Zeros are filled from the left, changing the sign and resulting in a large positive number.

Note: We Should Also Know about Bitwise Left Shift Operator in java

Differences between >> and >>>