  Rank-2 toric code (R2TC), a prototypical archetype of the discrete rank-2
symmetric gauge theory, has properties that differ from those of the standard
toric code. Specifically, it features a blending of UV and IR in its ground
state, restricted mobility of its quasiparticles, and variations in the
braiding statistics of its quasiparticles based on their position. In this
paper, we investigate various aspects of $\mathbb{Z}_N$ rank-2 gauge theory in
${(2+1)}$-dimensional spacetime. Firstly, we demonstrate that $U(1)$ rank-2
gauge theory can arise from ${U(1)\times U(1)}$ rank-1 gauge theory after
condensing the gauge charges in a specific way. This construction scheme of
$U(1)$ rank-2 gauge theory carries over to the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ case simply by
Higgsing $U(1)$ to $\mathbb{Z}_N$, after which the resulting rank-2 gauge
theory can be tuned to the R2TC. The holonomy operators of R2TC are readily
identified using this scheme and are given clear physical interpretation as the
pair creation/annihilation of various monopoles and dipoles. Explicit tensor
network construction of the ground states of R2TC are given as two copies of
the ground states of Kitaev's toric code that are `sewn together' according to
the condensation scheme. In addition, through a similar anyon condensation
protocol, we present a double semion version of rank-2 toric code whose flux
excitations exhibit restricted mobility and semionic statistics. Finally, we
identify the generalized discrete symmetries of the R2TC, which are much more
complex than typical 1-form symmetries. They include conventional and
unconventional 1-form symmetries, such as framed 1-form symmetries and what we
call sublattice 1-form symmetries. Using these, we interpret the R2TC's unique
properties (UV/IR mixing, position-dependent braiding, etc.) from the modern
perspective of generalized spontaneous symmetry breaking and 't Hooft
anomalies.
