Notice: This page requires JavaScript to function properly.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings or update your browser.Learn Increment and Decrement | Variables and Data Types
Introduction to Java

Increment and Decrement

Swipe to show menu

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.

question mark

What does the ++ operator do?

Select the correct answer

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 6

Ask AI

expand

Ask AI

ChatGPT

Ask anything or try one of the suggested questions to begin our chat

Section 2. Chapter 6
some-alt