java bitwise operators and the equal character; compound operators

Question

I'm a bit confused:

long v = 0;
v <<= 8; 
v |= 230;

I know << is the signed left shift operator and | Bitwise the inclusive OR but I'm confused to what the equals does?

So fist v is 0. So << doesn't have any effect? Then it equals 1000 but what happens then?

edit: I've edited the title so others might better find this question: added "compound operators"

Answer 1

There are somewhat like +=.

For example x+=3 means add 3 to x; store to x.

v <<= 8;

left-shifts v 8 bits, and stores to v, functionally equivalent to v=v << 8.

v |= 230;

does a bitwise OR with 230 and stores back to v, equivalent to v=v | 230.

Now, due to performance constraints and optimizations this operation may be done in place at a low level.