Arithmetic, comparison and logical
Operators are short symbols that act on one or more values. Java groups them into arithmetic (+ - * / %), comparison (== != < > <= >=) and logical (AND OR NOT). Combine them to build the conditions that drive your program.
int a = 10, b = 3;
System.out.println(a + b);
System.out.println(a % b);
System.out.println(a > b && b < 5);Precedence
Just like in maths, * binds tighter than +, so 2 + 3 * 4 is 14, not 20. When in doubt add parentheses — they cost nothing at runtime and make intent clear to anyone reading the code later.
Equality vs assignment
One of the most common beginner bugs is writing = (assignment) when you meant == (comparison). Read your conditions out loud — "if total equals one hundred" — to catch this kind of typo.