What is << symbol in C++?

In C++, the << symbol is an overloaded operator that can be used in two main contexts:

1. Output Stream Operator

When used with the std::cout object, the << operator is called the insertion operator. It is used to output data to the console (standard output).

Example:

int x = 10;
std::cout << "The value of x is: " << x << std::endl;

• In this case, << takes the value of x and "inserts" it into the output stream, displaying it in the console.
• The output for the above code would be:

  The value of x is: 10
  

2. Bitwise Left Shift Operator

The << operator is also used as the bitwise left shift operator. It shifts the bits of an integer to the left by a specified number of positions, effectively multiplying the number by powers of two.

Example:

int a = 5;  // Binary: 0000 0101
int result = a << 1;  // Left shift by 1 bit

• After the left shift, a becomes 0000 1010, which is 10 in decimal.
• The left shift operator can be used for efficient multiplication by powers of two.

Summary:

• std::cout <<: Used to print values to the console.
• << as bitwise operator: Shifts bits to the left, typically used in low-level programming.

Sources:

• GeeksforGeeks: Output in C++
• GeeksforGeeks: Bitwise Operators