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algorithmbit-manipulationxor

xor the two numbers in place swap?

I came across a question with swapping two numbers using xor. so the it's basically x=x^y; y=x^y; x=x^y, and i can think of y=(x^y)^y=x,so that y now becomes x, but on the last one wouldn't it bex=x^y = (x^y)^(x^y)= 0? how does x become y?

Solution 
  • x=x^y
y=(x^y)^y
x=(x^y)^((x^y)^y) //here is how you get x = y

    you did the substitution wrong.