Summary

This chapter examined the arithmetic operators provided by Visual Basic .NET. It also showed how some of the arithmetic operators have shorthand versions that you can use. It then explained what operator precedence is and how precedence can affect program statements. Next, the chapter explained that some operators have equal precedence levels and that the rules of associativity come into play to resolve such expressions. Finally, the chapter showed how you can use parentheses to alter the order of precedence and associativity.

It takes a little experience to become comfortable with the rules of precedence and associativity, but they play a crucial part in programming.