Boolean operators vs Bitwise operators

Question

I am confused as to when I should use Boolean vs bitwise operators

• and vs &
• or vs |

Answer 1

The general rule is to use the appropriate operator for the existing operands. Use boolean (logical) operators with boolean operands, and bitwise operators with (wider) integral operands (note: False is equivalent to 0, and True to 1). The only "tricky" scenario is applying boolean operators to non boolean operands.
Let's take a simple example, as described in [SO]: Python - Differences between 'and' and '&':
5 & 7 vs. 5 and 7.

For the bitwise and (&), things are pretty straightforward:

5     = 0b101
7     = 0b111
-----------------
5 & 7 = 0b101 = 5

For the logical and, here's what [Python.Docs]: Boolean operations states (emphasis is mine):

(Note that neither and nor or restrict the value and type they return to False and True, but rather return the last evaluated argument.

Example:

>>> 5 and 7
7
>>> 7 and 5
5

Of course, the same applies for | vs. or.