How to Reverse the Order of Bits in a Byte Using a Simple Approach?

Reversing the Order of Bits in a Byte: A Simplified Approach

In the realm of programming, reversing the order of bits within a byte is a common task. Among the various methods available, one stands out as the most straightforward for developers to implement.

For clarity, reversing bit order involves transforming binary sequences such as "1110" into "0111" and "0010" into "0100." To achieve this, the following approach is particularly simple:

unsigned char reverse(unsigned char b) {
   b = (b & 0xF0) >> 4 | (b & 0x0F) << 4;
   b = (b & 0xCC) >> 2 | (b & 0x33) << 2;
   b = (b & 0xAA) >> 1 | (b & 0x55) << 1;
   return b;
}

This function operates by progressively rearranging the bits within the byte. It begins by swapping the left four bits with the right four bits. Subsequently, it swaps adjacent pairs of bits and then adjacent single bits. The result is a complete reversal of the original bit order.

This approach is particularly appealing due to its simplicity and readability, making it easy for developers to understand and implement. Its performance considerations are secondary to its primary goal of providing a straightforward solution for reversing bit order in a byte.

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