Python Logical Operators: and, or, and not

This guide explains Logical Operators: and, or, and not through a focused example and practical reasoning. No prior knowledge of this specific operation is required.

Understanding the Concept

and, or, and not combine conditions. and requires both operands to be truthy, or requires at least one, and not produces the opposite boolean value. and and or can return one of their operands rather than a new Boolean.

When You Would Use This

A basic entry check requires a ticket and an acceptable age.

Step-by-Step Example

has_ticket = True
visitor_age = 17
is_adult = visitor_age >= 18
print(has_ticket and is_adult)
print(has_ticket or is_adult)
print(not has_ticket)

How the Example Works

The outputs are False, True, and False. A combined condition is easier to read when each subcondition has a meaningful name.

Example Output

False
True
False

Try It Yourself

Permit entry when a visitor has a ticket and is at least 16, or has a staff pass.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Using & in place of and with ordinary boolean decisions.
Assuming and and or always return a bool rather than sometimes returning an operand.
Leaving out parentheses in complicated mixed conditions.

Key Takeaways

and, or, and not combine conditions.
The outputs are False, True, and False.
Avoid this mistake: Using & in place of and with ordinary boolean decisions.