... Prev . ... Operators . Next . Bitwise operators allow you to turn specific bits within an integer on or off. ... Bits that are set in both $a and $b are set. $a | ... Bits that are set in either $a or $b are set. $a ^ $b . ... Bits that are set in $a or $b but not both are set. ~ $a . ... Shift left . Shift the bits of $a $b steps to the left (each step means "multiply by two") . ... Shift right . Shift the bits of $a $b steps to the right (each step means "divide by two") . ...