Why do we usually use || over |? What is the difference?

Understanding the nuances

Now, let's dive into the finer details and understand when to use | versus ||

Nifty tricks with || and &&

In the world of defensive programming, || and its brother && are your knights in shining armor. They help in null checks to prevent the dreadful NullPointerException.

if (dao != null && dao.fetchData() != null) {
    // Your NullPointerException slaying dragon!
}


| for bitwise computations, not logic

Sure, you can use | for boolean logic, but it would be like using a chainsaw to trim your nails—excessive and inefficient. | operates on the bit level, which makes it the go-to choice for bit manipulations.

int flags = CAN_READ | CAN_WRITE;
if ((userPermissions & flags) == flags) {
    // The user can read AND write? A bitwise genius!
}


Dodging the unexpected with | and ||

Mixing up | with || when dealing with non-integer data types can conjure unexpected results, leading your code into a wild goose chase. So, holding a clear understanding of the context of using each operator is the key to writing efficient and bug-free code.

Deep dive: Efficiency, pitfalls and language nuances

Here's how choosing the correct operator can play a crucial role in your code.

Efficient coding with short-circuit evaluation

The || and && operators allow for conditional execution based on the first operand, thereby enhancing the efficiency of your code by skipping unneeded operations.

|| and && in JavaScript

In JavaScript, || and && are not just mere Boolean operators but also tools for expressing conditions and setting default values. Know your operators and the language nuances to write better, and more efficient code.

Why operator precedence matters?

Mixing up | with logical operators like || can lead to bugs —hard-to-spot ones too — due to different operator precedences. Always be mindful of the precedence and when in doubt, use parentheses to ensure the correct order of operations.