Using Python How can I read the bits in a byte?

Question

I have a file where the first byte contains encoded information. In Matlab I can read the byte bit by bit with var = fread(file, 8, \'ubit1\'), and then retrie

Answer 1

The smallest unit you'll be able to work with is a byte. To work at the bit level you need to use bitwise operators.

x = 3
#Check if the 1st bit is set:
x&1 != 0
#Returns True

#Check if the 2nd bit is set:
x&2 != 0
#Returns True

#Check if the 3rd bit is set:
x&4 != 0
#Returns False