Increment /Decrement operators in C

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Increment /Decrement operator with Examples

Increment and decrement operators are unary operators that add or subtract one, to or from their operand, sequentially. They are commonly implemented in imperative programming languages like java, c, c++ the increment operator increments the value of the variable by one, and similarly, the decrement operator decrements the value of the variable by one.

a=6

a++ // a becomes 7

++a // a becomes 8

a-- // a becomes 7

--a // a becomes 6

Increment operators:

the increment operator increments the value of the variable in the expression. If the increment operator(++) is used as a prefix (before the variable), then the value of the variable is increased, and then it returns the value. If the increment operator is used as postfix(after the variable), then the original value is returned, and then the variable is increased by one.

 Example in C programming:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {

   int a = 6, b = 6;

   // a is displayed

   // Then, a is increased to 7.

   printf("%d post-increment n", a++);

   // b is increased to 7 

   // Then, it is displayed.

   printf("%d pre-incrementn", ++b);

   return 0;

}

Output:

6 post-increment 

7 pre-increment  

 

Example in C++:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

   int a = 6, b = 6;

   // a is displayed

   // Then, a is increased to 7.

   cout << a++ << endl;

   // b is increased to 7

   // Then, it is displayed.

   cout << ++b << endl;

   return 0;

}

Output:

6

7

Example in Java programming:

class Operator {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        int a = 6, b = 6;

        // a is displayed

        // Then, a is increased to 7.

        System.out.println(a++);

        // b is increased to 6

        // Then, b is displayed

        System.out.println(++b);

    }

}

Output:

6

7

Decrement operators: 

the decrement operator decrements the value of the variable in the expression. If the decrement operator(--) is used as a prefix (before the variable), then the value of the variable is decreased, and then it returns the value. If the decrement operator is used as postfix(after the variable) then the original value is returned, and then the variable is decreased by one.

Example in C programming:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {

   int a = 6, b = 6;

   // a is displayed

   // Then, a is decreased to 5.

   printf("%d post-decrenet n", a--);

   // b is decreased to 5 

  // Then, it is displayed.

   printf("%d pre-decrementn", --b);

   return 0;

}

Output:

6 post-decrement

5 pre-decrement

Example in C++:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main() {

   int a = 6, b = 6;

   // a is displayed

   // Then, a is decreased to 5.

   cout << a-- << endl;

   // b is decreased to 5

   // Then, it is displayed.

   cout << --b << endl;

   return 0;

}

Output:

6

5

Example in Java:

class Operator {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        int a = 6, b = 6;

        // a is displayed

        // Then, a is decreased to 5.

        System.out.println(a--);

        // b is decreased to 5

        // Then, b is displayed

        System.out.println(--b);

    }

}

Output:

6

5

Difference between increment and decrement operators:

 

Increment Operator

Decrement Operator

The increment operator increments the variable by one.

The decrement operator decrements the operator by one.

Prefix increment operator indicates the variable is incremented first, and then the expression is assessed utilizing the new value of the variable.

Prefix decrement operator indicates the variable is decremented first, and then the expression is assessed utilizing the new value of the variable.

Postfix increment operator indicates the expression is assessed first utilizing the original value of the variable, and then the variable is increased(incremented).

Postfix decrement operator indicates the expression is assessed first utilizing the original value of the variable, and then the variable is decreased(decremented).

  • In an implementation, when we require to change the initial value of the variable by 1, then go for increment/decrement operators. I.e “++,--“
  • When we are working with increment/decrement operator the difference b/w existing value and a new value is +1 and -1 only.
  • Depending on the position, these operators are classified into two types.

i.e pre & post operators.

  • When the symbol is available before the operand, then it is called pre-operator, if the symbol is available after the operand, then it is called post operator
  • When we are working with pre operators, data need to be modified before evaluating the expression
  • When we are working with post operators, data need to be modified after evaluating the expression

Syntax:-

First, increment the value of “a” by 1 and then evaluate the expression i.e,

b=1;

Int a,b;

A=1;  

Syntax1:

b=++a;

pre-increment i.e b=a;

o/p: a=2  b=2

First, evaluate the expression and then increment the value of “ a “ by 1

Syntax 2:-

b=a++, post-increment o/p: a=2    b=1

First, decrement the value of “a” by 1 and then evaluate the expression

Syntax 3: -

b=-a; pre decrement   o/p : a=0 b=0.

First evaluate the expression, later decrement the value of a by 1

Syntax 4:

b=a - -, post decrement B=1, a=0

Void main()
{

Int a;

A=10;

++a; || a=a+1;

Printf(“a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: a=11  
void main()
{

Int a;

A=10;

A++; || a=a+1;

Printf(“a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: a=11  

Until we are not assigning the data to any other variable, there are no difference b/w pre and post operators.

Void main()
a=++a   +   ++a  +  ++a
{  

=a+a+a Int a;  

a=4+4+4 A=1; 

all should be evaluated at a time

A=++a + ++a + ++a;

Printf("a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: 12  
  1. (  )
  2. +,-,!,++,-- pre
  3. *,/,%
  4. +,-
  5. <,>,<=,>=
  6. ==,!=
  7. &&
  8. ||
  9. ?:
  10. =
  11. ++,--,post
 

   

Void main()
a=++a + a++   +     ++a

{   

a= a+a+a Int a; 

3+3+3 A=1;  

9 A=++a +a ++ + ++a;

Printf(“a2%d”,a);

}

A=10;  
Void main()
{

Int a;

A=1;   

a+a+a A=a++   +   ++a   +  a++; 

2+2+2 

 a=6 Printf(“a=%d”,a);

   =6     a++ =7 o/p: a=8;   

and a++ - 7+1=8  

} 
void main() a b
{     

10   11   

 a=a++  +  ++b Int a,b;  

 a=a+b A=b=10; 

  a=10+11 A=a++   +    ++b;

a=21    a++=a22 B=++a    +   b++;   

 a=23  b=11 Printf ("a=%d b=%d, a, b”); 

 b=++a   +  b++

} 

23+11 B=34       b++ B=35.  

 

Void main()
{   

 a=1   b=3 Int a,b; 

a=a-b+a A=1; b=3;    

a=1 -2+2 A=a++ - - - b+   ++a; 

a=1 B=++b + - -a   - a++;  

  b=b+ a –a 3+1-1 B=3+1=4 A      

b  a=3 2 b= 2 3 1 3    3 2                                

b=++b  + - -a  -a++

A=a++ -  - -b+  ++a                 

b+a-a A=a-b+a                                 

3+2-2 2-2+2                                 

b=3 A=2 ++a=3  

}
Void main() a       b       c
{                                              

12     2 1    3 2 Int a,b,c;                                

a=a-b+c A=1;b=2;c=3;                             

2-2+2 A=++a   -b - - + - -c;               

a=2 B=a -- + b++ -c- -;                   

a=1 C=a++ - ++b  +  c++;

Printf(“a%d b=%d c%d”,a,b,c);     

a        b       c 2 1    1 2    2 1 A=2 A=1 A      

b       c 2 1    1 2    2 1   a        b       c 1       2       1                          

b=a- -  +b++ -c - - 2       3       0                               

a+b-c 2+1-2 C=a++  

++b   +   c++ a – b + c 1-3+1

C=-1 C+2=-1+1 A=2,  b=3,  c=0        
Void main()
{

Int a,b,c; A=1;

b=2;c=3;

a=++a – b- - + - - c;

b=a- -  + b++ - c- -;

c=a++ - ++b  + c++;

printf(“a=%d b=%d  c=%d  ”,a,b,c);  

a        b       c                          

b=a- - + b++  - c- - 1 2    2 3    1 0                          

a+b-c C=a++  - ++b  +  c++;                 

2+1-2 a-b+c 1-3+1 C=-1 A=2,b=3,c=0  
Void main() a b       c
{                                                       

2 3    4 3    6 7 Int a,b,c;                                        

a= a – b + c A=2 , b=4.  C=6;                                   

3 – 3  + 6 A=++a  -  - -b + c++;                           

a=6 B=a++ -b+++ - - c;                             

a=6 7        b=3   c=7 6

C= - -a + ++b -++c;

Printf(“a %d b=%d c=%d b=a,b,c”);

a –  b  +    c 6 -  3  +    6  

A                 b                 c 7 6              10               6 10  

C   =  a  +   b   – 7 6  + 11   -7

C =  9                   c++=10

A=6             b=11           c=10    
Void main()
{

Int a; A=10;

Printf(“%d   %d   %d”, ++a, a++,  ++a );

}

  o/p: 13 11 11  

When we are working with printf() f’n always it executes towards from right to left because it works with the help of stack.

In print f’n data need to be pass towards from right to left and data need to be point towards from left to right

     

Void main()
{

Int a;

A=100;

Printf(“ %d %d      %d   ”, a++,++a,a++);

Printf(“na=%d”,++a);

}

o/p : 102   102   100 a=104  
void main()
{

Int a;

A=5;

Printf(“%d %d  %d”, ++a,++a,++a);

}

o/p: 8 7 6        
void main()
{

Int  a;

A=10;

Printf(“%d  %d  %d”, a++,a++,a++);

Printf(“n a=%d”,a);

o/p: 12 11 10 a=13  
void main()
{

Int a;

A=15;

Printf(“%d  %d  %d”,++a,++a);

}
Void main()
{

Int a; A=5;

Printf(“%d  %d  %d”, ++a,a=10,++a);

o/p: 11   10   6  
void main()
{

Int a,b;

A=1;

B=++a * ++a * ++a;

Printf(“a=%d b=%d”,a,b);  
Void main()
{

Int a,b;

a=1;

b=++a*a++*++a;

printf(“a=%d  b=%d”,a,b);

}  

b=a*a*a

b=3*3*3

b=27 a=4     

 

void main()
{

Int a,b;

A=1;

B=a++ - ++a  *a++;

Printf(“a=%d b=%d”,a,b);

}

A=4,b=8  
Void main()
{

Int a,b;

A=1;

B=a++ - a++  * a++;

Printf(“a=%d b=%d”,a,b);

}

o/p : a=4, b=1   b=a*a*a a   1*1*1 b=1 a=4  
void main()
{

Int a; A=1;

Printf(“n%d”,++a * ++a * ++a);

// case1 A=1;

Printf(“n%d”,++a * a++ * ++a); 

//case2 A=1;

Printf(“/n%d”,a++ * ++a * a++); 

//case 3 A=1;

Printf(“n%d”,a++ * a++ * a++);

// case 4 A=1;

Printf(“n%d”, ++a * a++ * a++);

// case 5 A=1;

Printf(“n%d”,a++ * a++ * ++a);

// case 6 A=1;

Printf(“n %d”,++a*++a*a++);

// case 7

}  

Case1 : 2*3*4=24                 

case 5         2*2*3=12

Case2: 2*2*4=16                  

case 6         1*2*4=8

Case 3: 1*3*3=9         

case7:        2*3*3 =18

Case 4: 1*2*3=6  
  • Generally, the expressions can be evaluated in two locations. Ie register & stack
  • When we are working with register evaluation, then it works according to the priority. Ie pre-operator having the highest priority than the post operator.
  • In register evaluation, data need to be substituted after modifying all pre value only.
  • In stack evaluation, pre & post operators both contain the same priority, and data need to substitute at the time of evaluation of the expression.
  • When we are placing an expression outside of points then it should be evaluated according to register, within the printf should be evaluated according to stack.

[Explore: Types of Pointers in C]

  Program:

Void main()

{

Int a,b;

A=b=1;

Printf(“n %d %d”, ++a * ++b, a++ * b++);

A=b=2;

Printf(“n %d %d”, ++a + b++ a++ , +  ++b );

Printf(“n %d  %d”, - -a * ++b, ++a * - -b);

}  
  • When we are passing more than one expression in printf then data needs to be evaluated from right to left, if the single argument is there then data need to be substituted towards from left to right.

 

Void main()
{

Int a;

A=printf(“welcome”);

Printf(“n a=%d”,a);

}  

o/p:  welcome a=7  
void main()
{

Int a;

A=printf(“%d hello %d”,1-,20);

Printf(“na=%d”,a);

}

When we are working with printf f’n it returns an integer value i.e total number of characters printed on the console.      

Void main()
{

Int a;

A=printf(“ %d Hello %d”,10,200);

Printf(“n a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: 10 Hello 200

a=12(2(0)+1(5)+5(Hello)+1(5)+3(200))  
void main()
{

Int a;

A=printf(“n welcome %d”);

Printf(“NarreshIT”);

Printf(“n a=%d ”,a);

}  

o/p :  Naresh IT welcome 9 a=w(1(n) ++ (welcome +1(s) + 1(0));  

According to behavior of the printf always it executes towards from right to left thats why when we are working with nested printf towards from right side first printf always executes first  

void main()
{

Int a;

a= printf(“three %d n”); printf(“two %d n”);

printf(“one %d n”); printf(“a=%d”,a);

} o/p: one  two  three  a=7  
void main()
{

int a;

a= printf(“onen”) + printf(“ two n”) + printf (“threen”); printf(“a=%d”,a);

}

o/p : one two three a=14    
void main()
{

int a;

a=printf(“n one”) + printf(“n two”) * printf(“n three”);

printf(“a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: two three one 

 

void main()
{

int a;

a=2<5 ! printf(“NIT”);

printf(“welcome”);

printf(“n a=%d”,a);

}

o/p : NIT a=3  
void main()
{

int a;

a= printf(“wi”) ? printf(“BIF”) : printf(“welcome”);

printf(“n a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: Hi bye a=3;  
void main()
{

int a;

a= printf(“Hi”);

printf(“BYE”);

printf(“n a=%d”,a);

}

o/p: HIBYE Hello a=5;  
void main ()
{

int a,b,c;

c=scanf(“%d%d”, &a, &b);

printf(“n a= %d b=%d c=%d ”,a,b,c);

}

// i/p values are 100 200

o/p : a=100 b=200 c=2  

when we are working with scanf f’n it returns an integer value i.e total no.of i/p values provided by the user.

void main()
{

int a,b,c; a=b=100;

c=scanf("%d %d %d”,a,&b);

printf(“n a=%d b=%d c=%d,a,b,c”);

}

//ip values are 500 600

o/p : a=100 b=600 c=2  
  • The complete behaviour of the scanf will depend on the format specifier only not on the argument list.
  • As a programmer, it is our responsibility to store the data properly by using ‘&’ symbol
  • In scanf statement when we are not providing ‘&’ symbol for any variable then it will not update with new value.

 

void main()
{

int a,b,c;

a=10;

b=20;

c=scanf(“%d %d  %d”);

printf(“n a=%d b=%d c=%d ”,a,b,c);

}  
Void main ()
{

Int a,b;

A==200*200/200;

B=200/200*200;

Printf(“a=%d b=%d”,a,b);

}

B=200/200*200 1*200 B=200 200*200=40,000

Range of integer =32767 40000                          

-32767 -32767                         

7232 7233                             

-25536 A=-25536/200;

=-25536 *10 ^2= -12768* 10^2 =-127.68 

a=-127. 2 60000                          

-32768 -32767                         

27232 27233                           

 -5536   

a=-5536/300 =-18.45=-18      

Viod main()
{

Int a;

A=32767;

If (++a<32767)

//-32768<32767

Printf(“ welcome %d”,a);

Else Printf(“hello %d”,a);

}

O/p : welcome-36768  
Void main()
{

Inta;

A=-32768;

If(--a>-32768)

Printf(“welcome %d”,a);

Else Printf(“Hello %d”,a);

}

O/p: Welcome +32767  

    

void main()
{

Int a;

A=32767;

If(a++>=32767)|| 32767>32767

Printf(“welcome %d”,a);

Else Printf (“hello %d”,a);

}

O/p : Hello -32768  
Void main()
{

Inta; A=-32768;

If (aà-32768)

Printf(“welcome %d:,a);

Else Printf(“Hello %d”,a);

} 

O/p:  Hello -32767.

Conclusion:

Increment and decrement operators are used in looping and decision making in programming like C, C++, Java, and javascript. You can increase and decrease the values of the variables by using these operators

 

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