The right shift operator (>>
) shifts the first operand the specified number of bits to the right. Excess bits shifted off to the right are discarded. Copies of the leftmost bit are shifted in from the left. Since the new leftmost bit has the same value as the previous leftmost bit, the sign bit (the leftmost bit) does not change. Hence the name "sign-propagating".
Syntax
a >> b
Description
This operator shifts the first operand the specified number of bits to the right. Excess bits shifted off to the right are discarded. Copies of the leftmost bit are shifted in from the left. Since the new leftmost bit has the same value as the previous leftmost bit, the sign bit (the leftmost bit) does not change. Hence the name "sign-propagating".
For example, 9 >> 2
yields 2:
. 9 (base 10): 00000000000000000000000000001001 (base 2) -------------------------------- 9 >> 2 (base 10): 00000000000000000000000000000010 (base 2) = 2 (base 10)
Likewise, -9 >> 2
yields -3
, because the sign is preserved:
. -9 (base 10): 11111111111111111111111111110111 (base 2) -------------------------------- -9 >> 2 (base 10): 11111111111111111111111111111101 (base 2) = -3 (base 10)
Examples
Using right shift
9 >> 2; // 2 -9 >> 2; // -3
Specifications
Specification |
---|
ECMAScript (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Bitwise Shift Operators' in that specification. |
Browser compatibility
Desktop | Mobile | Server | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bitwise right shift (a >> b ) | Chrome Full support 1 | Edge Full support 12 | Firefox Full support 1 | IE Full support 3 | Opera Full support 3 | Safari Full support 1 | WebView Android Full support 1 | Chrome Android Full support 18 | Firefox Android Full support 4 | Opera Android Full support 10.1 | Safari iOS Full support 1 | Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0 | nodejs Full support 0.1.100 |
Legend
- Full support
- Full support