Java Prefix vs. Postfix Increment/Decrement: What's the Difference?

Java: Understanding Prefix and Postfix Increment/Decrement Operators

In Java, the increment ( ) and decrement (--) operators can be used both as prefix and postfix operators. This can lead to some confusion when it comes to their evaluation order.

Prefix vs. Postfix Operators

• Prefix operators: The operator is placed before the operand. It increments/decrements the operand and then uses the modified value in the operation.
• Postfix operators: The operator is placed after the operand. It first uses the operand in the operation and then increments/decrements it.

Example

Consider the Java code snippet below:

int i = 3;
i++;
System.out.println(i); // prints "4"
++i;
System.out.println(i); // prints "5"
System.out.println(++i); // prints "6"
System.out.println(i++); // prints "6"
System.out.println(i); // prints "7"

Explanation

• i : Postfix increment: Print "6" because it prints the current value of i (6) and then increments i to 7.
• i: Prefix increment: Print "6" because it increments i to 6 before using it in the operation.
• System.out.println( i): Print "6" because it first increments i to 6 and then prints the updated value.
• System.out.println(i ): Print "6" because it first prints the current value of i (6) and then increments i to 7.

Summary

When using increment/decrement operators, it's important to understand the difference between prefix and postfix operators. Prefix operators modify the operand before using it in the operation, while postfix operators use the operand first and then modify it.

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