Difference between >>> and >>

Question

What is the difference between >>> and >> operators in Java?

Answer 1

>>> is unsigned-shift; it'll insert 0. >> is signed, and will extend the sign bit.

JLS 15.19 Shift Operators

The shift operators include left shift <<, signed right shift >>, and unsigned right shift >>>.

The value of n>>s is n right-shifted s bit positions with sign-extension.

The value of n>>>s is n right-shifted s bit positions with zero-extension.

    System.out.println(Integer.toBinaryString(-1));
    // prints "11111111111111111111111111111111"
    System.out.println(Integer.toBinaryString(-1 >> 16));
    // prints "11111111111111111111111111111111"
    System.out.println(Integer.toBinaryString(-1 >>> 16));
    // prints "1111111111111111"

To make things more clear adding positive counterpart

System.out.println(Integer.toBinaryString(121));
// prints "1111001"
System.out.println(Integer.toBinaryString(121 >> 1));
// prints "111100"
System.out.println(Integer.toBinaryString(121 >>> 1));
// prints "111100"

Since it is positive both signed and unsigned shifts will add 0 to left most bit.

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