The bit manipulation operator ______________ is used to check whether a specific bit is set or not.

The bit manipulation operator that is used to check whether a specific bit is set or not is the bitwise AND operator (&).

Here is a step by step guide on how it works:

1. Identify the bit you want to check. Let's say you want to check the 3rd bit of a number.

2. Create a mask that has the bit you want to check set to 1 and all other bits set to 0. In this case, the mask would be 00000100 (in binary).

3. Use the bitwise AND operator (&) to compare the number and the mask. The result will be a number that has all bits set to 0, except possibly the one you're checking.

4. If the result is 0, then the bit you were checking is not set. If the result is not 0, then the bit you were checking is set.

For example, if you have the number 5 (which is 00000101 in binary) and you want to check if the 3rd bit is set, you would do the following:

1. Create the mask: 00000100
2. Compare the number and the mask: 00000101 & 00000100 = 00000100
3. Since the result is not 0, the 3rd bit is set.