title: Practical Application of Bitwise Operators
body: <blockquote>
    <p><strong>Possible Duplicate:</strong><br>
    <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3883384/practical-applications-of-bitwise-operations">practical applications of bitwise operations</a>  </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  
  
  <p>I have been programming for several years now and I have always wondered about the practical application of bitwise operators.<br>
  In my programming experience, I have not had to utilize the bitwise operators.
  When are they most commonly used?
  In my programming career, is it necessary for me to learn these?
  Thank you.
  Amicably,
  James</p>