What does the code `((n & (n-1)) == 0)` do?

What does the code `((n & (n-1)) == 0)` do?

What does the code `((n & (n-1)) == 0)` do?

Approach

To effectively answer the question "What does the code ((n & (n-1)) == 0) do?", follow this structured framework:

  1. Understand the Code: Break down the components of the expression.

  2. Explain Bitwise Operations: Provide context on what bitwise operations are and how they function.

  3. Identify the Purpose: Clarify what the expression checks and its implications.

  4. Provide Examples: Use examples to illustrate the concept.

  5. Summarize Key Takeaways: Highlight the main points for clarity.

Key Points

  • Bitwise AND Operation: Understand that & is a bitwise operator.

  • Power of Two Check: The expression checks if a number is a power of two.

  • Zero Handling: The expression returns false for n = 0, as it is not a power of two.

  • Efficiency: This method is an efficient way to check powers of two without loops or complex calculations.

Standard Response

The expression ((n & (n-1)) == 0) is a concise way to determine if a given integer n is a power of two. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

  • Bitwise AND Explanation:

  • The bitwise AND operator & compares each bit of two numbers.

  • The result is a number that has a bit set to 1 only if both corresponding bits of the operands are 1.

  • Understanding n - 1:

  • When you subtract 1 from n, it flips all the bits after the rightmost 1 in the binary representation of n.

  • For example, if n = 8 (which is 1000 in binary), then n - 1 is 7 (which is 0111).

  • The Expression:

  • When you perform n & (n - 1), you are effectively turning off the rightmost 1 bit of n.

  • If n is a power of two (like 1, 2, 4, 8, etc.), then n & (n - 1) will yield 0 because there is only one bit set in n.

  • What it Checks:

  • The expression checks if the number n is greater than 0 and has only one 1 bit in its binary form.

  • Therefore, ((n & (n-1)) == 0) returns true (or 1) if n is a power of two and false (or 0) otherwise.

  • Examples:

  • n = 1 (binary 0001): (1 & 0) == 0true

  • n = 2 (binary 0010): (2 & 1) == 0true

  • n = 3 (binary 0011): (3 & 2) != 0false

  • n = 4 (binary 0100): (4 & 3) == 0true

  • n = 5 (binary 0101): (5 & 4) != 0false

  • n = 0: The expression will return false, as 0 is not a power of two.

Tips & Variations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Misinterpreting the Result: Remember that the expression only works for positive integers. Negative numbers and zero will not yield the expected results.

  • Confusing Bit Representation: Ensure you understand how binary representation works and how subtraction affects it.

Alternative Ways to Answer

  • For a technical audience, delve deeper into binary arithmetic and optimizations in algorithms.

  • For a non-technical audience, simplify the explanation using analogies or visual aids to explain binary concepts.

Role-Specific Variations

  • Technical Roles: Discuss the implications of using this check in algorithms, such as in bit manipulation tasks or performance optimization in data structures.

  • Creative Roles: Frame the explanation in the context of data visualization, showing how binary numbers work visually.

  • Managerial Roles: Highlight the importance of understanding data types and operations in software development for project management.

Follow-Up Questions

  • Can you explain why n must be greater than zero for this check to work?

  • This question could lead to a discussion about the implications of non-positive integers in binary operations.

  • **How would you modify

Question Details

Difficulty
Medium
Medium
Type
Technical
Technical
Companies
Meta
Amazon
Intel
Meta
Amazon
Intel
Tags
Bit Manipulation
Logical Reasoning
Programming
Bit Manipulation
Logical Reasoning
Programming
Roles
Software Engineer
Data Scientist
Systems Analyst
Software Engineer
Data Scientist
Systems Analyst

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