Postfix Decrement Operator

The effect of count-- ; is the same as

count = count - 1;

Both ++ and -- can be placed in front of the variable:

++j;      // same effect as j = j+1;

--j;      // same effect as j = j-1;

In these cases the operators are called prefix operators. Either ++j; or j++; can be used for the same effect, although it is best to be consistent.

Good Advice: All four operators can be used in more complex expressions, but doing so is usually not wise. Evaluating an arithmetic expression that includes these operators can be confusing. AP Computer Science recommends using these operators only in statements consisting of the variable and the operator.

One of the following chapters discusses this subject in more detail.

count++ ;

count = count++ + 1;

--j;