In C programming I am writting a program that lights up LEDS

In C programming

I am writting a program that lights up LEDS, Below is part of my code.

my question is how do I explain |= and ^|

GPIOA_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter;
GPIOB_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter-16; //>>cause the shift to the right prperly
GPIOC_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter-32;
GPIOD_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter-48;
GPIOE_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter-64;

// TURN OFF LEDs
GPIOE_ODR ^= 0x0f00 << counter-72; //<< causes the shift to the left prperly
//Add 16-8 bc treat port E as low we need
//to fast skip the high port to go quick jump back to port D low
//Add 16-8 to account for not having the low portion of port E
GPIOD_ODR ^= 0x000f << counter-80;
GPIOC_ODR ^= 0x000f << counter-96; //Continue to add 16 bits
GPIOB_ODR ^= 0x000f << counter-112;
GPIOA_ODR ^= 0x000f << counter-128;
Delay_ms(50);

Solution

|= is defined as bitwise inclusive OR and assignment operator.

GPIOA_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter;
GPIOB_ODR |= 0xf000 >> counter-16; // can be written as

GPIOA_ODR = GPIOA_ODR | 0xf000 >> counter;
GPIOB_ODR = GPIOB_ODR | 0xf000 >> counter-16;   

GPIOE_ODR ^= 0x0f00 << counter-72;

GPIOD_ODR ^= 0x000f << counter-80; // can be written as

GPIOE_ODR = GPIOE_ODR ^ 0x0f00 << counter-72;

GPIOD_ODR = GPIOD_ODR ^ 0x000f << counter-80;