Operators

Operators in programming are like the tools and techniques used in cooking. Just as different kitchen tools or techniques combine and transform ingredients into a dish, operators manipulate data to produce a result.

Assignment operators are like setting your cooking station before you begin preparing a meal. Just as you would assign specific tools and ingredients to their spots on your counter, in programming, you assign values to variables for later use. For example, setting x = 5 is like placing five tomatoes on your counter, ready to be used in your dish.

void Start()
{   
    // assign a to 5
    float a = 5f;

    // assign the value of a to 6
    a = 6;

    // the value of a is 6
    Debug.Log(a);

    // assign b to 3
    float b = 3f;

    // assign the value of b to the value of a
    b = a;

    // the value of b is 6
    Debug.Log(b);
}

Consider basic arithmetic operators, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Using these operators is akin to measuring ingredients. For example, adding two numbers (+) is like combining two different ingredients in a bowl. Subtracting one number from another (-) can be compared to removing an ingredient from a mixture, such as taking a bit of salt out if you've added too much. Multiplication (*) could be likened to duplicating a recipe for more servings, effectively increasing each ingredient proportionally. Division (/) is akin to dividing a recipe into smaller portions, reducing each ingredient accordingly.

void Start()
{   
    float a = 5f;
    float b = 6f;

    float resultOfAddition = a + b;
    Debug.Log($"5 + 6 = {resultOfAddition}");

    float resultOfSubtraction = a - b;
    Debug.Log($"5 - 6 = {resultOfSubtraction}");

    float resultOfMultiplication = a * b;
    Debug.Log($"5 * 6 = {resultOfMultiplication}");

    float resultOfDivision = a / b;
    Debug.Log($"5 / 6 = {resultOfDivision}");
}

This example shows how we can modify an original value using a shorthand operator instead.

void Start()
{   
    float number = 0;
    Debug.Log($"{number} = 0");

    // add 10 to number
    number += 10f;
    Debug.Log($"{number} = 10");

    // subtract 5 from number
    number -= 5f;
    Debug.Log($"{number} = 5");

    // multiply number by 2
    number *= 2f;
    Debug.Log($"{number} = 10");

    // divide number by 2
    number /= 2f;
    Debug.Log($"{number} = 5");
}

Continue with conditions

Operators on Microsoft.com