Logical Operators

Logical operators combine boolean values to create more complex conditions. They are the glue that turns simple true/false checks into powerful decision logic.

`and` — Both must be True

print(True and True)
print(True and False)
print(False and False)

and returns True only if both operands are True. If either is False, the result is False.

age = 25
has_id = True
print(age >= 18 and has_id)  # True — both conditions met

`or` — At least one must be True

print(True or True)
print(True or False)
print(False or False)

or returns True if at least one operand is True. Only returns False when both are False.

is_weekend = True
is_holiday = False
print(is_weekend or is_holiday)  # True — at least one is True

`not` — Invert a boolean

print(not True)
print(not False)

not flips True to False and False to True.

is_logged_in = False
if not is_logged_in:
    print("Please log in")

Short-Circuit Evaluation

Python uses ▼short-circuit to skip unnecessary work:

def is_positive():
    print("Checking...")
    return True

print(False and is_positive())   # "Checking..." never prints
print(True or is_positive())     # "Checking..." never prints

With and, if the first value is False, Python already knows the result is False — no need to check the second. With or, if the first is True, the result is True regardless.

Truthiness and Logical Operators

Python's logical operators work with any values, not just booleans. They use ▼truthy / ▼falsy rules:

print(0 or "default")     # "default" — 0 is falsy
print("hello" and 42)     # 42 — "hello" is truthy, returns last value
print(not [])             # True — empty list is falsy

Note: and and or return the actual operand value (not just True/False) — this is why "hello" and 42 returns 42, not True.

Operator Precedence

not binds tightest, then and, then or:

print(not True or False)      # not True is False; False or False = False
print(not (True or False))    # True or False is True; not True = False
print(True or True and False) # True and False = False; True or False = True

Use parentheses when in doubt — they make your intent clear and override default precedence.