Context

Bitwise operations are a core skill when working with low-level systems, embedded software, and device control. Interviewers often use register-style questions to test whether you can manipulate individual bits precisely and safely.

Core Question

Explain how to use bitwise operations to manipulate specific bits in a hardware-style register represented as an integer.

Your answer should cover:

1. How to set, clear, toggle, and read a specific bit.
2. How masks are built using left shift operations.
3. How to update multiple bits without affecting unrelated bits.

Scope Guidance

The interviewer expects a practical conceptual explanation, not hardware-specific electrical details. You should be able to describe the common operators (&, |, ^, ~, <<, >>), show small code examples, and explain common mistakes such as using the wrong mask or accidentally modifying other bits.