ARITHMETIC SHIFT Meaning and
Definition
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Arithmetic shift is a type of bitwise operation applied to binary data, primarily used in computer systems and programming languages. It involves shifting all the bits of a binary number to the left or right, while preserving the sign of the number.
In an arithmetic left shift operation, the bits of a binary number are shifted towards the left. This results in discarding the leftmost bit and inserting a zero at the rightmost bit position. The significance of this operation lies in the fact that it effectively doubles the value of the number, as it is equivalent to multiplying the number by 2.
On the other hand, an arithmetic right shift operation shifts the bits of a binary number towards the right. In this case, the rightmost bit is discarded, and the leftmost bit is replicated. If the original number is positive, this operation essentially divides the number by 2, while preserving the sign. However, if the original number is negative, an arithmetic right shift preserves the negative sign and simulates integer division rounding towards negative infinity.
Arithmetic shifts are particularly useful for performing multiplication and division operations in computer systems as they are more efficient than using traditional multiplication and division operators. Additionally, they are commonly employed in various algorithms related to data manipulation and bitwise operations.
Etymology of ARITHMETIC SHIFT
The word "arithmetic shift" derives from the combination of two terms: "arithmetic" and "shift".
1. Arithmetic: The term "arithmetic" originates from the Latin word "arithmetica", which came from the Greek word "arithmētikē". This Greek term referred to the science or art of computation using numbers. Eventually, it entered Old French as "arismetique" and then into Middle English as "arithmetik" or "arithmetic".
2. Shift: The term "shift" comes from the Old English word "sciftan", which means "to arrange". Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to the action of moving or changing something from one position to another.
