\nIn English, “or” means a choice: ham or bacon, for instance.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn computer science, “or” is often called a logical operator, implying it yields 1 if true, but 0 if false. Yet, can a computer use “or” to make a choice, like a person can? Apparently so. Consider the following Perl code:\n<\/p>\n
$var1=’hello’;\n$var2=$var3||$var1;\nprint $var2;\n<\/p>
\nThe output:\n<\/p>\n
\nhello<\/p>\n
\n$var3 is undefined, while $var1=”hello”. || means “or”. Given the choice between the undefined $var3 and the defined $var1, Perl chooses the latter and returns “hello” rather than 1.\n<\/p>\n
Source:\n<\/p>\n
\nMcGrath, Mike. Perl in easy steps<\/em>. Southam: Computer Step, 2004.\n<\/p>Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane,<\/a> Campbell River, BC.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-tutoring about computer science: the tutor explores the concept of “or”. In English, “or” means a choice: ham or bacon, for instance. In computer science, “or” is often called a logical operator, implying it yields 1 if true, but 0 …<\/p>\n