Changing data within bytes...

Thing is, it's easier to refer to the bit through this, correct?

Code:

(un)signed whatever n = x;
int bitnumber = y;
cout << x[bitnumber];
x[bitnumber] = 1;

No, it's not any easier than the below code. In fact, I think the code below is more explicit about what it's doing and thus easier to read.

Code:

(un)signed whatever n = x;
int bitnumber = y;
cout << getbit(n, bitnmber);
setbit(n, bitnumber, true);