This operator works on numeric values only and shifts the bits in the first operand left by the number specified by the second operand; the appropriate number of zeroes go into the bits vacated to the right side of the value. For example:
x = 0b1100111 << 3;
The value of x will be 0b1100111000. (note: the value is stored in a 32 bit integer – by convention, zeroes to the left of the highest value 1 are not shown)