**std::byte** is an [enum](https://www.educative.io/answers/what-are-enums-in-c) class that was first introduced in C++17 and can be initialized using `{}` with any value from $0$ to $255$. 

> Make sure to include the `cstddef` header file.

```c++
#include <cstddef>

// Initializing a 'byte' variable:
std::byte x{2};
```

Only the following bitwise operations can be performed on a byte variable:

# Operations

1. **Left-shift (`<<`)**: Shifts all digits of a binary number to the left by the specified number of steps.

> Shifting a binary number *one-step* to the left equates to multiplying it by 2.

```c++
std::byte x{3};

// Multiply 'x' by 4 and store the result back in 'x':
x <<= 2;
```

2. **Right-shift (`>>`)**: Shifts all digits of a binary number to the right by the specified number of steps.

> Shifting a binary number *one-step* to the right equates to dividing it by 2.

```c++
std::byte x{32};

// Divide 'x' by 8 and store the result back in 'x':
x >>= 3;
```

3. **Logical operators**: AND (`&`), OR (`|`), and XOR (`^`) bitwise operators can also be performed on 2-byte​ variables.

## Demo

# Converting to an integer

A **byte** can be converted to a *signed* or *unsigned* integer using the `to_integer<type>` function. This function is safer than a normal *cast* because it prevents a byte from being converted into a `float`.

## Code

#include <iostream>
#include <cstddef>

using namespace std;

int main() {
  byte x{20};

  // Multiply 'x' by 2 => x = 20 * 2 = 40:
  x <<= 1;

  // Divide 'x' by 4 => x = 40 / 4 = 10:
  x >>= 2;

  cout << "x = " << to_integer<int>(x) << endl;

  return 0;
}

How to use std::byte in C++

`std::byte` in C++17 enables safe byte manipulation with specific bitwise operations and integer conversion, requiring the cstddef header.