Home »
C programming language
Difference between operators and operands in C/C++ programming language
Last Updated : December 17, 2025
In C and C++ programming, every expression is formed using operators and
operands. Understanding the difference between these two is essential for
writing, reading, and debugging programs effectively.
Example Expression
Consider the following expression:
x = a + b;
In this expression:
- x, a, and b are operands
- = and + are operators
An expression in C/C++ generally consists of the following parts:
- Operands
- Operators
- Special symbols
!. Operands
An operand is any data item on which an operator performs an operation.
Operands can be:
- Constants (literals)
- Variables
- Function calls
- Expressions that return a value
Example
In the expression (10 + 20), the values
10 and 20 are operands, and
the operator + performs addition on them.
Similarly, in the expression (a + b),
a and b are operands because
they participate in the operation.
2. Operators
An operator is a special symbol or keyword that tells the compiler to perform
a specific operation on one or more operands. Operators can be:
- Arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /)
- Relational operators (>, <, >=, <=)
- Logical operators (&&, ||, !)
- Assignment operators (=, +=, -=)
Example
In the expression (10 + 20), the symbol
+ is an operator that adds two operands.
In the logical expression (age >= 18),
the operator >= checks whether the value of
age is greater than or equal to 18.
3. Special Symbols
Apart from operators and operands, C/C++ expressions may include certain
special symbols that help define the structure or termination of an expression.
These symbols do not perform calculations but are still essential.
Example
In the expression x = (a + b);:
- ( ) parentheses are used to group expressions
- ; semicolon is used to terminate the statement
These symbols help the compiler understand how and where an expression begins and ends,
making them a crucial part of C/C++ syntax.
Difference Between Operators and Operands
The following table highlights the key differences between operators and operands in C/C++ programming.
| Basis |
Operators |
Operands |
| Definition |
Operators are symbols or keywords that perform operations on data. |
Operands are the data items on which operations are performed. |
| Purpose |
Used to specify the type of operation to be performed. |
Used to provide values required for an operation. |
| Examples |
+, -, *, = |
10, x, a + b |
| Role in Expression |
Define how operands are manipulated. |
Represent the values being manipulated. |
| Count in Expression |
An expression may have one or more operators. |
An expression usually has one or more operands. |
Operators and Operands in C/C++ Exercise
Select the correct option to complete each statement about operators and operands in C/C++ programming language.
- In C/C++, an operator is:
- In the expression
a + b, the symbols a and b are:
- How many operands does a binary operator require in C/C++?
Advertisement
Advertisement