setmasks

Setmasks, also known as bitmasks, are a programming technique used to manipulate individual bits within an integer. They are essentially integer values where each bit represents a specific flag or option. By performing bitwise operations such as AND, OR, and XOR, developers can efficiently check, set, or clear these flags without needing separate boolean variables for each. For example, to check if a specific flag (represented by a bit at a certain position) is set in a setmask, one would use the bitwise AND operator with a mask that has only that bit set. If the result is non-zero, the flag is present. To set a flag, the bitwise OR operator is used. To clear a flag, the bitwise AND operator is used with the bitwise NOT of the flag's mask. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where memory or performance is critical, such as in low-level programming, embedded systems, or game development. It allows for compact representation of multiple states or permissions.