value: 11 result: 20
The example program fragment:
int value = 10 ;
int result = 0 ;
result = value++ * 2 ;
System.out.println("value: " + value +
" result: " + result );
is equivalent to this program fragment:
int value = 10 ;
int result = 0 ;
result = value * 2 ;
value = value + 1 ;
System.out.println("value: " + value +
" result: " + result );
The second fragment is one statement longer, but easier to understand. Use the increment operator only where it makes a program clearer. Don't use it to avoid extra typing. The increment operator can make some very confusing code if you are not careful.
The increment operator must be applied to a variable. The following is incorrect:
int x = 15;
int result;
result = (x * 3 + 2)++ ; // Wrong!
(Thought question:) Would it sometimes be useful to increment the value in a variable before using it?