What Does & Mean in Python [Duplicate]

James H. Sterling
James H. Sterling
• • 3 min read

I Came Across the Following Code Numdigits = Len(Cardnumber) Oddeven = Numdigits & 1 What Exactly Is Going on Here? I'm Not Sure What the "&" Is Doing. 2 5...

What Does & Mean in Python [Duplicate]

I came across the following code

numdigits = len(cardNumber)
oddeven = numdigits & 1

what exactly is going on here? I'm not sure what the "&" is doing.

2

5 Answers

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Answer

The & symbol is a bitwise AND operator. Used with 1, it basically masks the value to extract the lowest bit, or in other words will tell you if the value is even or odd.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist
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James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.