Role of Relational Operators in Java: Operators are the foundational elements of any programming language, and Java is no exception. Java offers operators tailored to various tasks, including arithmetic, logical, and relational operations. In this article, we’ll explore the world of Java’s relational operators, essential for comparing values and making decisions in your programs.
Also read:Â Top 10 Java Libraries Every Java Developer Should Know
Relational operators, often called comparison operators, are binary operators that allow you to determine the relationships between two values. These operators evaluate the expressions on both sides and return a boolean result, either true or false, based on the comparison’s outcome. Java provides several relational operators to facilitate these comparisons.
- Equal To (==) Operator
The equal to operator checks whether two operands are equal. It returns true if the value on the left-hand side is equal to the value on the right-hand side; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax:
java
variable1 == variable2
Example:
java
int var1 = 5;
int var2 = 10;
int var3 = 5;
System.out.println(“var1 == var2: ” + (var1 == var2)); // Outputs false
System.out.println(“var1 == var3: ” + (var1 == var3)); // Outputs true
- Not Equal To (!=) Operator
The not equal operator checks whether two operands are not equal. It returns true if the value on the left-hand side is not equal to the value on the right-hand side; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax:
java
variable1 != variable2
Example:
java
int var1 = 5;
int var2 = 10;
int var3 = 5;
System.out.println(“var1 != var2: ” + (var1 != var2)); // Outputs true
System.out.println(“var1 != var3: ” + (var1 != var3)); // Outputs false
Also read:Â Java or Advanced Java: Which One Is Right For You in 2023?
- Greater Than (>) Operator
The greater than operator checks whether the value on the left-hand side is greater than on the right-hand side. It returns true if the left-hand value is greater; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax:
java
variable1 > variable2
Example:
java
int var1 = 30;
int var2 = 20;
System.out.println(“var1 > var2: ” + (var1 > var2)); // Outputs true
- Less Than (<) Operator
The less-than operator checks whether the value on the left side is less than on the right. It returns true if the left-hand value is less; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax:
java
variable1 < variable2
Example:
java
int var1 = 10;
int var2 = 20;
System.out.println(“var1 < var2: ” + (var1 < var2)); // Outputs true
- Greater Than or Equal To (>=) Operator
The greater than or equal to operator checks whether the value on the left-hand side is greater than or equal to the value on the right-hand side. It returns true if the left-hand value is greater or equal; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax:
java
variable1 >= variable2
Example:
java
int var1 = 20;
int var2 = 20;
int var3 = 10;
System.out.println(“var1 >= var2: ” + (var1 >= var2)); // Outputs true
System.out.println(“var2 >= var3: ” + (var2 >= var3)); // Outputs true
- Less Than or Equal To (<=) Operator
The less than or equal to operator checks whether the value on the left-hand side is less than or equal on the right-hand side. It returns true if the left-hand value is less or equal; otherwise, it returns false.
Syntax:
java
variable1 <= variable2
Example:
java
int var1 = 10;
int var2 = 10;
int var3 = 9;
System.out.println(“var1 <= var2: ” + (var1 <= var2)); // Outputs true
System.out.println(“var2 <= var3: ” + (var2 <= var3)); // Outputs false
Relational Operators’ Uses in Real-World Applications
Relational operators are invaluable in programming for making decisions, controlling program flow, and comparing data. They are widely used in conditional statements (e.g., if, else, while, for) to determine which branch of code to execute based on specific conditions. They are also essential for sorting and searching algorithms, where comparisons are critical for ordering and finding data sets’ elements. Java’s relational operators provide a powerful means to compare values and make informed decisions in your programs. Understanding how these operators work and when to use them is fundamental to writing efficient and reliable Java code. Whether developing a simple calculator app or a complex data processing system, relational operators are indispensable tools in your programming toolkit.
Also read:Â Top 15 Java Projects With Source Code [2024]
FAQs
What are arithmetic and relational operators, with examples?
Arithmetical operators are used to perform mathematical calculations in a program. These operators work in the same sequence in which they are used in mathematics. For example- addition (A + B) and subtraction (A - B) A relational operator determines the relationship between two or more operands.
What are relational and logical operators in Java?
In the terms relational operator and logical operator, relational refers to the relationships that values can have and logically refers to how true and false values can be connected.
What is a relational operator in Java?
Java Relational Operators are a bunch of binary operators used to check for relations between two operands, including equality, greater than, less than, etc. After the comparison, they return a boolean result and are extensively used in looping and conditional if-else statements.
