1. What is Left Shift Bitwise Operation?

The left shift bitwise operation moves all bits in a number to the left by a specified number of positions. Each shift to the left effectively multiplies the number by 2.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator performs the left shift operation:

Where:

• \( \text{num} \) — The integer to be shifted
• \( \text{bits} \) — Number of positions to shift left
• \( \ll \) — Left shift operator

Explanation: Each left shift by 1 bit is equivalent to multiplying the number by 2. Shifting left by n bits multiplies the number by 2^n.

3. Importance of Bitwise Operations

Details: Bitwise operations are fundamental in low-level programming, hardware interactions, and performance-critical applications. Left shifts are particularly useful for fast multiplication by powers of 2.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any integer number and the number of bits to shift left. The result will show both the decimal and binary representations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens to bits shifted past the leftmost position?
A: They are discarded. The leftmost bits that shift out of the number's bit width are lost.

Q2: Is left shift the same as multiplication by 2?
A: For positive numbers, yes. However, for signed numbers (especially negative ones), behavior may differ depending on the programming language.

Q3: What's the maximum number of bits I can shift?
A: In PHP, you can shift up to the bit width of the integer type (typically 32 or 64 bits). Shifting more than this will give unexpected results.

Q4: Does left shift work with floating-point numbers?
A: No, bitwise operations only work with integer types. Floating-point numbers must be converted to integers first.

Q5: What's the difference between arithmetic and logical left shift?
A: For left shifts, they are the same operation. The distinction only matters for right shifts.