Can somebody please explain this python challenge question to me?

Question

a= 5|5
b= 10|5

print (a+b)

the answer to this was 20, but I don't understand why. I've never seen this kind of assignment before, and I can't find any reference to it online

Answer 1

That's bitwise or.
In this context , it converts the numbers to binary takes 1 where ever possible and prints the decimal form of resulting binary number.

See the answer in this link for better understanding : https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5988665/pipe-character-in-JUMP_LINK__&&__python__&&__JUMP_LINK

Answer 2

thank you! I'm familiar with bitwise operations, but did not know the syntax