What is the use of "&" operator in SQL SERVER.

Question

What is the use of & operator in the code specified below. IS there any benefit of using & instead of "AND". Please elaborate.

CASE ( C.[Status] & F.[Status] & D.[Status] & DWT.[Status] & P.[Status] )
    WHEN 1
        THEN CASE ( C.IsDeleted & F.IsDeleted & D.IsDeleted & P.IsDeleted )
        WHEN 0 THEN NULL
        ELSE 7
        END
    ELSE 6
END

Answer 1

& is bit AND operation:

• & Bitwise AND

• | Bitwise OR

• ^ Bitwise exclusive OR

• ~ Bitwise NOT

Answer 2

Bitwise AND operation, take a look at & (Bitwise AND) (Transact-SQL) in Books On Line

Answer 3

It's a bitwise operator - AND

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms176122.aspx