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Introduction to Java

Increment and Decrement

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Now that you know how basic operators work, you can look at two very simple but very useful operators in Java — increment and decrement. These are used when we want to change a value by exactly 1.

  • ++ — increment (increase by 1);
  • -- — decrement (decrease by 1).

They are often used in counters, loops, and tracking changes in values.

Increment Operator ++

The increment operator increases a value by 1:

int coffeeCupsSold = 35;

coffeeCupsSold++; // 36
coffeeCupsSold++; // 37
coffeeCupsSold++; // 38

Decrement Operator --

The decrement operator decreases a value by 1:

int coffeeCupsSold = 35;
coffeeCupsSold--; // 34
coffeeCupsSold--; // 33

Example

Main.java

Main.java


              
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package com.example;

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

       int coffeeCupsSold = 35;

       coffeeCupsSold++; // 36
       coffeeCupsSold++; // 37
       coffeeCupsSold++; // 38

       coffeeCupsSold--; // 37
       coffeeCupsSold--; // 36

       System.out.println(coffeeCupsSold);
   }
}

The example starts with coffeeCupsSold set to 35, then apply ++ three times to reach 38, and then -- twice to bring it back down to 36. The final println prints 36 as the result.

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What does the ++ operator do?

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Section 2. Chapter 6

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Increment and Decrement

Now that you know how basic operators work, you can look at two very simple but very useful operators in Java — increment and decrement. These are used when we want to change a value by exactly 1.

  • ++ — increment (increase by 1);
  • -- — decrement (decrease by 1).

They are often used in counters, loops, and tracking changes in values.

Increment Operator ++

The increment operator increases a value by 1:

int coffeeCupsSold = 35;

coffeeCupsSold++; // 36
coffeeCupsSold++; // 37
coffeeCupsSold++; // 38

Decrement Operator --

The decrement operator decreases a value by 1:

int coffeeCupsSold = 35;
coffeeCupsSold--; // 34
coffeeCupsSold--; // 33

Example

Main.java

Main.java


              
1234567891011121314151617

            
package com.example;

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

       int coffeeCupsSold = 35;

       coffeeCupsSold++; // 36
       coffeeCupsSold++; // 37
       coffeeCupsSold++; // 38

       coffeeCupsSold--; // 37
       coffeeCupsSold--; // 36

       System.out.println(coffeeCupsSold);
   }
}

The example starts with coffeeCupsSold set to 35, then apply ++ three times to reach 38, and then -- twice to bring it back down to 36. The final println prints 36 as the result.

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 6
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