C Increment & Decrement Operators

Increment and Decrement Operator

Increment Operator

When we use the increment operator, we add the given value.

int main()

{

int x=5;

printf("x=%d",x);

x++;

printf("x=%d",x);

return 0;

}

Output:

5

6

Decrement Operator

When we use the decrement operator, we add and subtract one from the given value.

int main()

{

int x=5;

printf("x=%d",x);

x--;

printf("x=%d",x);

return 0;

}

Output:

5

4

post increment:

int x=5;

int y=x++;

Description:

step 1:

First the value of integer variable x is stored in memory.

step 2:

int y=x++;

First the value of x is stored in y. That is, the value of 5 in x is stored in y. Now the value of y is 5. Step 3:

Only after the value of x is stored in y, the operation x++(x+1) takes place. That is, x is adding one (1) to the value it has. Now, the existing value of 5 is changed to the value of 6 and stored in the memory.

pre increment

int x=5;

int y=++x;

Description:

step 1:

First the value of variable x is stored in memory.

step 2:

int y=++x;

Here the value of x is first added to the value of one (1). Then, the value of 5 in x is changed to 6.

Step 3:

Now the value of x is stored in y. That is, the value of 6 in x is stored in y.