The increment ++ and decrement — operators in Java play a key role in incrementing the defined or user input values step-wise. Moreover, these operators are of great aid while performing the iteration of values in a certain range via the “for” loop. These operators can be utilized as “prefix” or “postfix” depending upon the user’s requirement.
This guide will discuss applying the increment ++ and decrement — operators in the form of prefixes and postfixes.
How to Apply the Increment ++ Operator as Prefix and Postfix?
The increment operator ++ used as a prefix such as “++var” increments its value by 1 and is returned. However, in the case of the increment operator “++” as a postfix i.e., “var++”, the original/default value of var is retrieved first and then incremented by 1.
Example 1: Applying the Increment ++ Operator as Prefix and Postfix
This example applies the increment ++ operator as a prefix and postfix:
public class IncrDecr {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int firstValue = 3;
int secondValue = 3;
System.out.println("Increment Operator as Postfix -> " + firstValue++);
System.out.println("Increment Operator as Prefix -> " + ++secondValue);
}
}
In this code, initialize the stated integers. After that, associate the increment ++ operator as a postfix with the former value and then as a prefix with the latter value.
Output
This output implies that the discussed operator applied as a postfix retrieved the original value whereas the operator applied as prefix increments the value.
Example 2: Applying the Increment ++ Operator as Prefix and Postfix With “for” Loop
In this specific example, the discussed operator will be utilized as a prefix and postfix with the “for” loop:
public class IncrDecr {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int firstValue = 3;
int secondValue = 3;
System.out.println("Increment Operator as Postfix -> ");
for (int x = 0; x <= firstValue; x++)
System.out.println(x);
System.out.println("Increment Operator as Prefix -> ");
for (int x = 0; x <= secondValue; ++x)
System.out.println(x);
}
}
According to these code lines:
- Likewise, initialize the stated integers.
- Now, apply the “for” loop to iterate along the integers from 0 till the former defined value and return the iterated values based on the applied operator as postfix i.e., x++.
- Similarly, repeat this procedure with the latter define value and apply the increment operator as prefix (++x).
Output
As observed, the same outcome is retrieved in both cases since the values are iterated in a loop in a given range.
How to Apply the Decrement — Operator as Prefix and Postfix?
The decrement operator — used as a prefix such as “–var” decrements its value by 1 and is retrieved. In the scenario of the decrement operator “–” as a postfix used as “var–”, the original/default value of var is retrieved first; then its value is decremented by 1.
Example 1: Applying the Decrement — Operator as Prefix and Postfix
This demonstration utilizes the decrement — operator as prefix and postfix:
public class IncrDecr {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int firstValue = 3;
int secondValue = 3;
System.out.println("Decrement Operator as Postfix -> " + firstValue--);
System.out.println("Decrement Operator as Prefix -> " + --secondValue);
}
}
According to this snippet of code, define the provided integer values. Now, apply the decrement — operator as postfix with the first value and prefix with the second value.
Output
This outcome verifies that the decrement — operator applied as postfix returns the default/defined value with no change whereas the operator applied as prefix increments the value on a priority basis.
Example 2: Applying the Decrement — Operator as Prefix and Postfix With “for” Loop
This code example utilizes the decrement — operator to be implemented as prefix and postfix with “for” loop:
public class IncrDecr {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int firstValue = 3;
int secondValue = 3;
System.out.println("Decrement Operator as Postfix -> ");
for (int x = firstValue; x >= 0; x--)
System.out.println(x);
System.out.println("Decrement Operator as Prefix -> ");
for (int x = secondValue; x >= 0; --x)
System.out.println(x);
}
}
According to this block of code, apply the below-given steps:
- Similarly, define the values to be evaluated.
- Now, apply the first “for” loop to apply the decrement — operator as postfix starting from the defined value i.e., 3 till 0.
- Repeat the same with the latter defined value using a second “for” loop by applying the operator as a prefix.
Output
Here, it can be indicated that the iteration is done identically in both the cases.
Conclusion
The increment ++ and decrement — operators used as prefixes such as “++var” increment and decrement the value by 1 and return it. However, in the case of the operators being used as postfixes like “var++”, the original value is retrieved first; then its value is incremented by 1.