Scala Logical Operators

Logical operators are fundamental in programming, enabling the creation of complex conditions by combining multiple boolean expressions. In Scala, the three primary logical operators are:

Key Logical Operators

1. AND Operator (&&)
   • Returns true if both operands are true.
   • Example:
2. OR Operator (||)
   • Returns true if at least one of the operands is true.
   • Example:
3. NOT Operator (!)
   • Reverses the boolean value of an operand.
   • Example:

val a = true
val result = !a // result is false

val a = true
val b = false
val result = a || b // result is true

val a = true
val b = false
val result = a && b // result is false

Key Concepts

• Boolean Expressions: Expressions that evaluate to either true or false.
• Short-circuit Evaluation:
  • For the AND operator (&&), if the first operand is false, the second operand is not evaluated since the overall expression cannot be true.
  • For the OR operator (||), if the first operand is true, the second operand is not evaluated.

Practical Usage

Logical operators are commonly employed in conditional statements such as if and while to control program flow. Here’s a simple example:

val age = 25
val hasLicense = true

if (age >= 18 && hasLicense) {
    println("You can drive.")
} else {
    println("You cannot drive.")
}

Conclusion

Logical operators in Scala are simple yet powerful tools for constructing complex logical conditions in your programs. Mastering the use of AND, OR, and NOT operators will significantly enhance your control over decision-making in your code.