# ~ (bitwise NOT)

#### Availability

Flash Player 5.

#### Usage

    ~ expression

#### Parameters

`expression` A number.

#### Returns

None.

#### Description

Operator (bitwise); converts the `expression` to a 32-bit unsigned integer, then inverts the bits. A bitwise NOT operation changes the sign of a number and subtracts 1.

#### Example

The following example shows a bitwise NOT operation performed on a variable.

    a = 0;
    trace ("when a = 0, ~a = "+~a);
    // when a = 0, ~a = -1
    a = 1;
    trace ("when a = 1, ~a = "+~a);
    // when a = 0, ~a = -2
    // therefore, ~0=-1 and ~1=-2