Decrement operator in c with example

The decrement operators used to subtract 1 to previous value. Decrement operator is unary operator because only one variable is used.

There are 2 type in decrement operator. They are
1. Postfix decrement operator
2. Prefix decrement operator

Syntax:-

For postfix

variable--

For prefix

--variable

Both prefix and postfix decrement operator are same thing when they used independently(i-- or --i) ie subtract 1 to previous value. But they behave differently when they used in expression on the right hand side of assignment statement(num=i-- or num=--i)

Postfix decrement operator:-

Output:-

i=1
num=2

Execution:-

In postfix decrement operator, fist assign value to left side variable(num) than decrement by 1(i)

Here in our example first i is three(i=3) than i decrement by 1(i--). here i value is 2.

Next statement is num = i--;

Here postfix is used so first i value is assigned to num ie 2 than i is decrement by 1 ie i value becomes 1.

Prefix decrement operator

Output:-

i=1
num=1

Execution:-

In prefix decrement operator, first decrement(i) by 1 than result value is assigned to left side variable(num)

Here in our example first i is three(i=3) than i decrement by 1(--i). here i value is 2.

Next statement is num = --i;

Here prefix is used so first i is decrement by 1 ie i value becomes 1. Than value of i is assigned to num ie 1

Example:-

Program to fined sum of N odd number.

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