What distinguishes the use of operators in programming?

The distinction of operators in programming lies in their syntactical differences from function calls. Operators are symbols that perform operations on variables and values, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and logical operations. Unlike function calls, which often use a name followed by parentheses and parameters, operators can be directly placed between the operands without the need for such syntax. For example, in the expression a + b, the plus sign serves as an operator, contrasting with a function call like sum(a, b).

This clarity in syntax is critical for developers as it allows for more concise and readable expressions in code. The range of operators extends beyond basic arithmetic to include comparison, logical operators, and more, allowing programmers to express complex logic succinctly.