switch( i ^ 3). what does this mean?

Question

I cannot understand to why this syntax does not generate any kind of compile time or run time errors ?

int i=2;

switch(i ^ 3){       ---- > this part
 case 8: System.out.print("Eight"); break;
 default: System.out.print("Default");
}

It prints Default, so what does this ( i ^ 3 ) do in the switch condition ?

Worst way of writing `if(i == 11) {...} else {...}` ever! – fabian Mar 23 '16 at 12:55 — fabian, Mar 23 '16 at 12:55

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 23 '16 at 12:45

1

i ^ 3 is i XOR 3 (2 XOR 3), which is 1 (10 XOR 11 is 1). It's not a power operator, so it doesn't return 8. Therefore the default section of the switch statement is reached.

answered Mar 23 '16 at 12:45

Eran

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 23 '16 at 12:45

0

i is equal to 2.

2^3 = 1. (XOR operation).

10 //2
11 // 3 (XOR)
--
01 //1

So, it sets the value of 1 for the switch condition.

answered Mar 23 '16 at 12:45

dryairship

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 23 '16 at 12:45

0

^ is Bitwise XOR where i ^ 3 generate integer result.

answered Mar 23 '16 at 12:45

Suresh Atta

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switch( i ^ 3). what does this mean?

3 Answers3