Module 3 · Logic and bit operations · Lesson 4 of 6

Working with single bits

The real power of bitwise operators is targeting one bit while leaving the rest alone. The tool for that is a mask: a number with a single 1 in the position you care about, built easily with a shift — 1 << n puts a 1 in slot n.

Pair a mask with the right operator and you get four precise moves on a single bit:

• Set it to 1: x | (1 << n)
• Check if it's 1: x & (1 << n)
• Clear it to 0: x & ~(1 << n)
• Flip it: x ^ (1 << n)

This is how a single integer can pack dozens of on/off flags — one per bit — which is why bit masks show up in graphics, networking, hardware and file permissions. The last piece of the puzzle is the shift itself.