Scalar Variables and Operators

Operator Precedence and Associativity

• Operator Associativity refers to what is resolved first when deciding what to operate on.

• Right Associativity results in implied parenthesis to the right.
• Left Associativity results in implied parenthesis to the left.
• Right Associativity Example: in 5 ** 6 ** 7 , an equivalent operation would be (5 ** (6 ** 7)) because the ** operator is right associative.
• Left Associativity Example: in 5 / 6 / 7 , an equivalent operation would be ((5 / 6) / 7)) because the / operator is left associative.
• Yes. It is terrible programming practice to allow these to default implicitly. You should always us parenthesis to explicitly define the order of operations.
• Precedence refers to which operations will be performed in what order. Higher precedence operations are performed before lower precedence operations.
• With parenthesis, the innermost parenthesis are completely evaluated first, and it progresses outward. This explicitly and clearly overrides the hidden implicit precedence rules.
• man perlop will give a complete description of operator precedence and associativity.