# What is Increment ++ and Decrement -- Operator? -_-

In this article, you will learn about the increment operator ++ and the decrement operator -- .

In programming (Java, C, C++, JavaScript etc.), the increment operator ++ decrement operator -- are used.

Increment operator (++) or Decrement operator (--) --> This operators increase the value of variable by 1 or decrease the variable by 1.

For eg : 

```
     int a = 5;
     a++;   //output will be 6
     int b = 5;
     a--;   //output will be 4
``` 

> 
These operators are further divided into 

>1) Prefix increment/decrement (++a/--a)

>2) Postfix increment/decrement (a++/a--)

1) **Prefix increment/decrement operator** --> The ++ and -- are placed before number, first evaluate the value and then performs the work.
For eg


```
int a = 5;

System.out.println(++a); // here the new value is evaluated that is + so value will be 6 and output will be 6

System.out.println(a);   // output will be 6 because there is no further work to perform.
``` 
2) **Postfix increment/decrement (a++/a--)** --> In this work is perform first, and then evaluate the value.
for eg


```
int a = 5; 

System.out.println(a++); // Here work is perform what work?

the work is to print  the value of a that is 5, after that the value will be evaluated to 6 
i.e is a + 1 = 6; 5 + 1 = 6;
``` 
When you print value of a for second time then output will show 6;


```
int a = 5;
System.out.println(a++); //output will be 5
System.out.println(a);   // after incrementation of a the value will be 6 and it will printed as a output.
``` 
Let's take another example to understand in java programming language


```
class Operator {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        int a = 5, 
        System.out.println(a++); // 5 will be output 
        System.out.println(++a); // 7 will be output
        System.out.println(a);   // 7 as it is 
        System.out.println(--a); // 6 because of subtraction
        System.out.println(a--); // 6 will be output
        System.out.println(++a); // 6 will be output

    }
}
``` 
**1)**```
In System.out.println(a++);
```   // 5 will be output here first 5 will be printed and then ++ of 5 will happen so now new value of a will be 6.

**2) **```
In System.out.println(++a);
```   //the value of a will be 7 because of addition ++a it is because addition is performed, after that 7 will be output.

**3)** ```
In System.out.println(a);
```   // 7 as it is value from previous.

**4)** ```
In System.out.println(--a);
```   //the value will be 6 because -- of 7-1=6 i.e. value is 6

**5)** ```
In System.out.println(a--);
```   // 6 will be output because first print value of a and then do subtraction i.e. 6-1=5. When new print command for value a will be printed then 5 will be displayed.

**6)** ```
In System.out.println(++a);
```  // 6 will be output because ++a i.e. first do addition of _5+1=6 _and print value of a which is 6.


If you enjoy reading stories like these and want to support me as a writer, consider buying me cup of coffee [Buy Me a Coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aryabasu21) . Thanks for reading. I would appreciate a like, comment, and a follow. Be sure to look out for more content on more amazing topics . I will be writing a lot on these plus planning on starting a podcast about some stuffs like this blog at a time.