Operators are symbols or keywords used in programming and mathematics to perform specific actions on data. Common types of operators include arithmetic operators like + for addition and - for subtraction, as well as comparison operators such as == for equality and > for greater than. They help manipulate values and variables to achieve desired outcomes in calculations or logical evaluations. In programming, operators can also be categorized into logical operators, like AND and OR, which combine boolean values, and assignment operators, such as = that assign values to variables. Understanding how to use operators effectively is essential for writing efficient code and solving mathematical problems.