> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.syntblaze.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Swift Bitwise OR
The `|` operator in Swift is the bitwise OR operator. It performs a logical inclusive OR operation on the individual binary bits of two integer values. It evaluates the operands bit-by-bit and returns a new integer of the same type, where each bit is set to `1` if the corresponding bit in *either* or *both* of the operands is `1`. If both corresponding bits are `0`, the resulting bit is `0`.
## Syntax
The operator is an infix operator placed between two integer operands of the exact same type.
```swift theme={"dark"}
let result = operand1 | operand2
```
## Bitwise Evaluation Mechanics
The operator follows a standard truth table for each bit position:
* `0 | 0` evaluates to `0`
* `0 | 1` evaluates to `1`
* `1 | 0` evaluates to `1`
* `1 | 1` evaluates to `1`
## Code Visualization
To observe the mechanical behavior, it is best to use explicitly typed unsigned integers (like `UInt8`) and binary literals (`0b` prefix).
```swift theme={"dark"}
let a: UInt8 = 0b10100011 // Decimal: 163
let b: UInt8 = 0b01011010 // Decimal: 90
let c = a | b // Decimal: 251
```
**Bit-by-bit execution:**
```text theme={"dark"}
10100011 (Operand a)
| 01011010 (Operand b)
11111011 (Result c)
```
## Type Constraints
Swift enforces strict type safety. The `|` operator cannot implicitly bridge different integer types or sizes. Both operands must be of the exact same type, and the return type will match the operands.
```swift theme={"dark"}
let x: UInt8 = 0b00001111
let y: UInt16 = 0b11110000
// let z = x | y // Compiler Error: Binary operator '|' cannot be applied to operands of type 'UInt8' and 'UInt16'
let z = UInt16(x) | y // Valid: Both are now UInt16
```
## Compound Assignment
Swift provides the `|=` compound assignment operator, which performs the bitwise OR operation and assigns the result directly back to the left-hand operand. The left-hand operand must be a mutable variable (`var`).
```swift theme={"dark"}
var register: UInt8 = 0b00000000
register |= 0b00001111
// register is now 0b00001111
register |= 0b11110000
// register is now 0b11111111
```
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