^ Bitwise XOR / set symmetric difference
Last updated: 2026-09-22
^ Bitwise XOR / set symmetric difference
^ is bitwise XOR; on sets it's symmetric difference.
| Category | Operators |
|---|---|
| Kind | Operator |
| Python Version | all |
📝 Syntax
a ^ b▶ Example
Edit the code, press Run, and see the result in the output panel:
Output：
6
{1, 4}💡 Related Cases
More case studies coming soon — check back later.
❓ FAQ
QWhat does ^ do to integers?
ABitwise XOR: same bits become 0, different bits become 1. `0b1100 ^ 0b1010` gives `0b0110` (6). A common use is toggling state, e.g. `a ^= 1` flips between 0 and 1.
QWhat does ^ do to sets?
ASymmetric difference: elements belonging to exactly one of the sets. `{1, 2, 3} ^ {2, 3, 4}` gives `{1, 4}`, equivalent to `(a - b) | (b - a)`.
QIs ^ the exponentiation operator?
ANo. In Python, exponentiation is `**`; `^` is bitwise XOR. This differs from the mathematical notation where `^` means power — easy to confuse at first.
