Unsigned Right Shift

[Wil Guo]

Can anyone explain that the result of -1>>>32 is -1 not 0?
Thanks!

[Keith Lynn]

Only the last 5 bits of the right operand are used. That is, the right operand is modded by 32. 32 % 32 = 0, so you aren't shifting bits.

[ven kaar]

i think .. java 2's complement is the reason

1 value is 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001

-1 value is (as java uses 2's complement)

negate the unsigned value and add 1

11111111 11111111 11111111 11111110 (negate value)
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001 (one's value)

11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 (-1 value)

so now shifting 1 by 32 and applying negate

00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001 (one's value)
00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 (after applying >>>32)

now negate
11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111 which is equal to -1


does that make sense ?

[marc weber]

Originally posted by Keith Lynn:
Only the last 5 bits of the right operand are used. That is, the right operand is modded by 32. 32 % 32 = 0, so you aren't shifting bits.

That's correct. And for type long, the last 6 bits are used.

(So note what happens when the right operand is negative. )
[ January 26, 2006: Message edited by: marc weber ]

[ven kaar]

Marc and Keith are rite, mod operator is used for 32 and above in case of int, 64 and above in case of long.

so in essence 32%32 stands 0 no shifting occurs

[Bert Bates]

also remember that this topic is on the 1.4 exam but it's NOT on the 5.0 exam.