Thread: Difference between ++i and i++

Hi,

I'm new to Java and I wanted to understand what is the difference between ++i and i++? I know at times they function the same way and at times they function differently.

1) What are those cases? Like if i say:

int i = 5;
int x = i++;
vs

int i = 5;
int x = ++i

2)What about cases when it is not just the assignment to a variable. In cases where you're using it immediately?

int i = 5;
int j = 7;
int x = i++ * --j;
or
int i = 5;
int j = 7;
int x = ++i * j++;

What is the difference?

Thanks!

When you do a prefix like ++i the value of i is increment before returning and if you do a postfix like i++ then value is incremented after returning.

Like if u do a=++i then first i will save its value to a then only add 1 to itself. whereas a=i++ means first i adds 1 to itself then only save the value to a.

Originally Posted by viper_pranish

Like if u do a=++i then first i will save its value to a then only add 1 to itself. whereas a=i++ means first i adds 1 to itself then only save the value to a.

Did you verify your understanding with code?