NOT Operator

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What Does NOT Operator Mean?

In Boolean algebra, the NOT operator is a Boolean operator that returns TRUE or 1 when the operand is FALSE or 0, and returns FALSE or 0 when the operand is TRUE or 1. Essentially, the operator reverses the logical value associated with the expression on which it operates. The NOT operator is considered one of the basic operators along with AND and OR in Boolean algebra.

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The NOT operator is also known as the logical NOT.

Techopedia Explains NOT Operator

In digital electronics, the NOT logical operator allows the user to express conditions in a negative manner. If a condition is true, then the logical NOT operator makes it false, and vice-versa. As with other logical operators, the NOT operator can be combined with other logical operators to create more complex expressions. The NOT operator is used in most programming languages which support logical and comparison operators. In the programming world, it is mainly used to control the flow of the program. It is used in construction of logical statements and in supporting bitwise negation. It is also an important component while setting up logic digital circuits.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.