# Differentiate between the prefix and postfix forms of the ++ operator in java?

Java 8Object Oriented ProgrammingProgramming

Java provides two operators namely ++ and --, to increment and decrement values by 1 respectively.

There are two variants of these operators −

Pre-increment/decrement − This form, increments/decrements the value first, and then performs the specified operation.

## Example

In the following example, the initial value of the variable i is 5. We are printing the incremented value of it using the pre increment operator.

Since we are using the pre increment operator, the value of i is incremented then printed.

Live Demo

public class ForLoopExample {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int i = 5;
System.out.println(++i);
System.out.println(i);
}
}

## Output

6

Post-increment/decrement − This form, performs the specified operation first, and then increments/decrements the value.

## Example

In the following example, the initial value of the variable i is 5. We are printing the incremented value of it using the post increment operator and, we are printing the i value again.

Since we are using the post increment operator, the value of i is printed and then incremented.

Live Demo

public class ForLoopExample {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int i = 5;
System.out.println(i++);
System.out.println(i);
}
}

## Output

5
6

## Example

Live Demo

public class ForLoopExample {
public static void main(String args[]) {
int i = 5;
System.out.println(i--);
System.out.println(i);
int j =5;
System.out.println(--j);
}
}

## Output

5
4
4
Updated on 30-Jul-2019 22:30:26

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