title: Is bit shifting O(1) or O(n)?
body: <p>Are shift operations <code>O(1)</code> or <code>O(n)</code> ?</p>
  
  <p>Does it make sense that computers generally require more operations to shift 31 places instead of shifting 1 place?</p>
  
  <p>Or does it make sense the <em>number of operations</em> required for shifting is <strong>constant</strong> regardless of how many places we need to shift?</p>
  
  <p>PS: wondering if <em>hardware</em> is an appropriate tag..</p>