In Java, what does the + operator signify?

The + operator in Java is versatile and can serve multiple purposes depending on the context in which it is used. Primarily, it acts as both an addition operator for numeric types and a concatenation operator for strings.

When used with numeric data types, the + operator performs arithmetic addition. For instance, adding two integers or two floating-point numbers will yield their sum.

In the case of strings, the + operator concatenates two strings, effectively joining them into a single string. For example, if you take "Hello" and use the + operator to concatenate it with " World", the result will be "Hello World".

This dual functionality is a hallmark of the + operator in Java, allowing developers to write concise and clear code that can handle both mathematical addition and string joining without needing to resort to different operators or methods. As a result, option C accurately captures the essence of the + operator, reflecting its capability to either add numbers or combine strings based on context.