sushrut
asked on
pre and post increment, decrement operaotrs
i am confused about pre and post increment operaotrs..
eg.
##first#########
$int= 5;
print"int=$int\n";
$int = ++$int + $int++ + $int--;
print"int=$int\n";
#output is 20
##second#########
$int= 5;
print"int=$int\n";
$int = ++$int + --$int + $int++ + $int--;
print"int=$int\n";
##gives out put as 21
##third############
how does perl actually impliments the operators?
eg.
##first#########
$int= 5;
print"int=$int\n";
$int = ++$int + $int++ + $int--;
print"int=$int\n";
#output is 20
##second#########
$int= 5;
print"int=$int\n";
$int = ++$int + --$int + $int++ + $int--;
print"int=$int\n";
##gives out put as 21
##third############
how does perl actually impliments the operators?
Autoincrement and Autodecrement
The
++ operator (called the autoincrement operator) adds one to its operand, and returns the incremented value, like so:
$a += 1; # with assignment operator
++$a; # with prefix autoincrement
$d = 17;
$e = ++$d; # $e and $d are both 18 now
Here, the ++ operator is being used as a prefix operator; that is, the operator appears to the left of its operand. The
autoincrement may also be used in a suffix form (to the right of its operand). In this case, the result of the expression is the old
value of the variable before the variable is incremented. For example:
$c = 17;
$d = $c++; # $d is 17, but $c is now 18
Because the value of the operand changes, the operand must be a scalar variable, not just an expression. You cannot say ++16
to get 17, nor can you say ++($a+$b) to somehow get one more than the sum of $a and $b.
The autodecrement operator (--) is similar to the autoincrement operator, but subtracts one rather than adding one. Like the
autoincrement operator, the autodecrement operator has a prefix and suffix form. For example:
$x = 12;
--$x; # $x is now 11
$y = $x--; # $y is 11, and $x is now 10
The autoincrement and autodecrement operators also work on floating-point values. So autoincrementing a variable with the
value 4.2 yields 5.2 as expected.
Autoincrement even works on strings.
The autoincrement operator has a little extra built-in magic to it. If you increment a variable that is numeric, or that has ever
been used in a numeric context, you get a normal increment. If, however, the variable has only been used in string contexts
since it was set, and has a value that is not null and matches the pattern /^[a-zA-Z]*[0-9]*$/, the increment is done as a
string, preserving each character within its range, with carry:
print ++($foo = '99'); # prints '100'
print ++($foo = 'a0'); # prints 'a1'
print ++($foo = 'Az'); # prints 'Ba'
print ++($foo = 'zz'); # prints 'aaa'
The autodecrement operator, however, is not magical.
==========================
The
++ operator (called the autoincrement operator) adds one to its operand, and returns the incremented value, like so:
$a += 1; # with assignment operator
++$a; # with prefix autoincrement
$d = 17;
$e = ++$d; # $e and $d are both 18 now
Here, the ++ operator is being used as a prefix operator; that is, the operator appears to the left of its operand. The
autoincrement may also be used in a suffix form (to the right of its operand). In this case, the result of the expression is the old
value of the variable before the variable is incremented. For example:
$c = 17;
$d = $c++; # $d is 17, but $c is now 18
Because the value of the operand changes, the operand must be a scalar variable, not just an expression. You cannot say ++16
to get 17, nor can you say ++($a+$b) to somehow get one more than the sum of $a and $b.
The autodecrement operator (--) is similar to the autoincrement operator, but subtracts one rather than adding one. Like the
autoincrement operator, the autodecrement operator has a prefix and suffix form. For example:
$x = 12;
--$x; # $x is now 11
$y = $x--; # $y is 11, and $x is now 10
The autoincrement and autodecrement operators also work on floating-point values. So autoincrementing a variable with the
value 4.2 yields 5.2 as expected.
Autoincrement even works on strings.
The autoincrement operator has a little extra built-in magic to it. If you increment a variable that is numeric, or that has ever
been used in a numeric context, you get a normal increment. If, however, the variable has only been used in string contexts
since it was set, and has a value that is not null and matches the pattern /^[a-zA-Z]*[0-9]*$/, the increment is done as a
string, preserving each character within its range, with carry:
print ++($foo = '99'); # prints '100'
print ++($foo = 'a0'); # prints 'a1'
print ++($foo = 'Az'); # prints 'Ba'
print ++($foo = 'zz'); # prints 'aaa'
The autodecrement operator, however, is not magical.
==========================
ASKER
Adjusted points from 50 to 100
ASKER
for maneshr:::
well your explanation doesnot answer my question.
i know the diffrence between pre and post operators. i have used them lot of times. but i was still confused with their beheviour if they are used with each other and with itself.
eg.
$a = 5;
$a = $a++ + ++$a;
now $a is 12.
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++;
now $a is 13.
Can you please help me in understanding this?
alos ozo doesnot explain me what i want.
may be the points are too less. i will increase the points.
well your explanation doesnot answer my question.
i know the diffrence between pre and post operators. i have used them lot of times. but i was still confused with their beheviour if they are used with each other and with itself.
eg.
$a = 5;
$a = $a++ + ++$a;
now $a is 12.
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++;
now $a is 13.
Can you please help me in understanding this?
alos ozo doesnot explain me what i want.
may be the points are too less. i will increase the points.
ASKER
for maneshr:::
well your explanation doesnot answer my question.
i know the diffrence between pre and post operators. i have used them lot of times. but i was still confused with their beheviour if they are used with each other and with itself.
eg.
$a = 5;
$a = $a++ + ++$a;
now $a is 12.
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++;
now $a is 13.
Can you please help me in understanding this?
alos ozo doesnot explain me what i want.
may be the points are too less. i will increase the points.
well your explanation doesnot answer my question.
i know the diffrence between pre and post operators. i have used them lot of times. but i was still confused with their beheviour if they are used with each other and with itself.
eg.
$a = 5;
$a = $a++ + ++$a;
now $a is 12.
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++;
now $a is 13.
Can you please help me in understanding this?
alos ozo doesnot explain me what i want.
may be the points are too less. i will increase the points.
lets take the first eg.
$a = 5;
$a = $a++ + ++$a;
the expression is evaluated from left to right. so we have 5 to start with when we encounter $a++. But since its a post increment operator and also since the entire expression has not been evaluated the value in variable a is not determined.
next we have the + sign followed by the pre increment operator which increments the value of a by 1 making it six.
but now that the entire expression has been evaluated, the value in a has become 6 making the return value as 12.
**************************
In the 2nd example
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++;
we start with 5. the preincrement op. makes it 6. next we have $a++ following the + sign. in this case note that we have reached the end of the expression. therefore this time the value of a is incremented by 1 making it 7. the final result is therefore 13.
The key to this is the foll....
The ++ and -- operators work as in C. That is, if placed before a variable, they increment or decrement the variable before
returning the value, and if placed after, they increment or decrement the variable AFTER returning the value.
Hope that helps.
$a = 5;
$a = $a++ + ++$a;
the expression is evaluated from left to right. so we have 5 to start with when we encounter $a++. But since its a post increment operator and also since the entire expression has not been evaluated the value in variable a is not determined.
next we have the + sign followed by the pre increment operator which increments the value of a by 1 making it six.
but now that the entire expression has been evaluated, the value in a has become 6 making the return value as 12.
**************************
In the 2nd example
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++;
we start with 5. the preincrement op. makes it 6. next we have $a++ following the + sign. in this case note that we have reached the end of the expression. therefore this time the value of a is incremented by 1 making it 7. the final result is therefore 13.
The key to this is the foll....
The ++ and -- operators work as in C. That is, if placed before a variable, they increment or decrement the variable before
returning the value, and if placed after, they increment or decrement the variable AFTER returning the value.
Hope that helps.
#I don't recommend depending on this, but consider:
$a = 5;
@a = (++$a,$a++);
print "@a\n";
$a = $a[0] + $a[1];
$a = 5;
@a = (++$a,$a++);
print "@a\n";
$a = $a[0] + $a[1];
Hi,
It is nice to try these examples. But when you write real time programming you need to be careful. It is fun to learn the language this way.
Anyhow my answers are:
1. The pre and post increment operators affect the inital $int variable.
2. The decrement does not affect the $int variable. It uses only in the expression evaluation.
More specific on example first:
$int=5
Expression $temp = ++$int + $int++ gives result of $temp as 13 and $int is now set to 7.
Next expressiong $temp=++$int + $int++ + $int--; gives result of $temp as 20 ( 13+7) and now $int is set to 6.
Similarly try the second example. Do not ask me why the perl works this way. May be it is written this way to handle these operators.
Have fun.
It is nice to try these examples. But when you write real time programming you need to be careful. It is fun to learn the language this way.
Anyhow my answers are:
1. The pre and post increment operators affect the inital $int variable.
2. The decrement does not affect the $int variable. It uses only in the expression evaluation.
More specific on example first:
$int=5
Expression $temp = ++$int + $int++ gives result of $temp as 13 and $int is now set to 7.
Next expressiong $temp=++$int + $int++ + $int--; gives result of $temp as 20 ( 13+7) and now $int is set to 6.
Similarly try the second example. Do not ask me why the perl works this way. May be it is written this way to handle these operators.
Have fun.
Thanks
sushrut,
has your question been answered?
let us know.
has your question been answered?
let us know.
ASKER
i still want to know some thing more.
when you will answer this question, i will certainly give the points.
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a++;
print $a;
######################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a--;
print $a;
#######################
both give output 20
##################
##################
##################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a--;
print $a;
#########################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a++;
print $a;
########################
both give output 16
How should i predict the beheviour?
i am not asking you to explain why but i need to know how to predict this.
is it that
once it finds pre++ it seems to take even pre -- as pre++ ( confused?? even i am)
whoever answers this i am gonna reward the points.
when you will answer this question, i will certainly give the points.
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a++;
print $a;
######################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a--;
print $a;
#######################
both give output 20
##################
##################
##################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a--;
print $a;
#########################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a++;
print $a;
########################
both give output 16
How should i predict the beheviour?
i am not asking you to explain why but i need to know how to predict this.
is it that
once it finds pre++ it seems to take even pre -- as pre++ ( confused?? even i am)
whoever answers this i am gonna reward the points.
ASKER
Adjusted points from 100 to 200
ASKER
may be i am expecting tooo much for 100 points. so i will increase the points.
sorry for troubling....
sorry for troubling....
I can answer why each example gives the same answer, but I think that the answers should be different than they are:
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a++;
>print $a;
>######################
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a--;
>print $a;
>#######################
>both give output 20
Sure they're the same:
++$a + $a++ + $a++ is the same as
++$a + $a++ + $a--
because the at the very last part of the expression, you are POST-increment or POST-decrementing. In other words, the value of $a++ is the same as the value of $a--, it's just that in one case $a ends up = 8, and in the other example, $a ends up = 6. The value returned IN THE EXPRESSION should be 7 in any case. The way I figure it,
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a++; # turns into
$a = 6 + 6 + 7 # and $a = 8
which should come out 19, but indeed it's 20. ARGH!!! WHY?!?!?
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a--;
>print $a;
>#########################
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a++;
>print $a;
>########################
>both give output 16
Here again,
++$a + $a-- + $a-- is the same thing as
++$a + $a-- + $a++
because you're using postfix increment/decrement as the last part of the expression.
I think it should turn out to be
$a=5;
$a=++$a + $a-- + $a--
6 + 6 + 5
which should be 17 in my book, but it comes out 16, sure enough. This is one for Larry Wall -- I suggest you contact him directly.
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a++;
>print $a;
>######################
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a--;
>print $a;
>#######################
>both give output 20
Sure they're the same:
++$a + $a++ + $a++ is the same as
++$a + $a++ + $a--
because the at the very last part of the expression, you are POST-increment or POST-decrementing. In other words, the value of $a++ is the same as the value of $a--, it's just that in one case $a ends up = 8, and in the other example, $a ends up = 6. The value returned IN THE EXPRESSION should be 7 in any case. The way I figure it,
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + $a++ + $a++; # turns into
$a = 6 + 6 + 7 # and $a = 8
which should come out 19, but indeed it's 20. ARGH!!! WHY?!?!?
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a--;
>print $a;
>#########################
>$a = 5;
>$a = ++$a + $a-- + $a++;
>print $a;
>########################
>both give output 16
Here again,
++$a + $a-- + $a-- is the same thing as
++$a + $a-- + $a++
because you're using postfix increment/decrement as the last part of the expression.
I think it should turn out to be
$a=5;
$a=++$a + $a-- + $a--
6 + 6 + 5
which should be 17 in my book, but it comes out 16, sure enough. This is one for Larry Wall -- I suggest you contact him directly.
ASKER
maneshr:
I need ur suggestion. should i keep the topic open?
if i shouldnot, answer me and i will give you the point. (points are not important but the knowlege is important). But pls let me know whenever you get to know how to predict the beheviour.
##########################
However saba you were also good. I wish i could split the points.
I need ur suggestion. should i keep the topic open?
if i shouldnot, answer me and i will give you the point. (points are not important but the knowlege is important). But pls let me know whenever you get to know how to predict the beheviour.
##########################
However saba you were also good. I wish i could split the points.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Here's some more fuel for the fire.
Basically, it looks like ++$a is not returning what is advertised in the perl docs. It appears to be returning BEFORE the increment takes place in this case.
Code attached, need to read it and run it.
------ CUT HERE --------
$a = 5;
$c = ++$a + $a-- + $a++;
print "1: $c ", $a, "\n\n";
########################
$a = 5;
$a = (++$a + $a--) + $a++;
print "2: ", $a, "\n\n";
#######################
# Case 2 shows that + has left associativity, as most people expect
#######################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + ($a-- + $a++);
print "2A: ", $a, "\n\n";
#######################
# Case 2A shows that associativity matters, since ++ and -- are non-Associative
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = ((++$a) + ($bb = $a--)) + ($bbb = $a++);
print "3: $c ", $a, " ",$b + 0," $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 3 shows what most people think is going on
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (($b = ++$a) + ($bb = $a--)) + ($bbb = $a++);
print "4: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 4 shows that the first piece ($b = ++$a) returns 6 like people
# expect since ++$a is supposed to return after incrementing. But notice
# that now the result is 17 (what most people expect). Only possible reason
# I can think of, is a Perl bug (implementation error on precedence).
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (&prePlus + ($bb = $a--)) + ($bbb = $a++);
print "5: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 5 shows the same as case 4, but really isolating the ++$a call.
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (&prePlus + &postSub) + &postSub;
print "6: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 6 is just like 5 with more isolation
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (($b = &prePlus) + ($bb = &postSub)) + ($bbb = &postSub);
print "7: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 7 is nothing surprising, by now
#######################
sub prePlus {
print "In prePlus and a is: $a\n";
return ++$a;
}
sub postPlus {
print "In postPlus and a is: $a\n";
return $a++;
}
sub postSub {
print "In postSub and a is: $a\n";
return $a--;
}
Basically, it looks like ++$a is not returning what is advertised in the perl docs. It appears to be returning BEFORE the increment takes place in this case.
Code attached, need to read it and run it.
------ CUT HERE --------
$a = 5;
$c = ++$a + $a-- + $a++;
print "1: $c ", $a, "\n\n";
########################
$a = 5;
$a = (++$a + $a--) + $a++;
print "2: ", $a, "\n\n";
#######################
# Case 2 shows that + has left associativity, as most people expect
#######################
$a = 5;
$a = ++$a + ($a-- + $a++);
print "2A: ", $a, "\n\n";
#######################
# Case 2A shows that associativity matters, since ++ and -- are non-Associative
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = ((++$a) + ($bb = $a--)) + ($bbb = $a++);
print "3: $c ", $a, " ",$b + 0," $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 3 shows what most people think is going on
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (($b = ++$a) + ($bb = $a--)) + ($bbb = $a++);
print "4: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 4 shows that the first piece ($b = ++$a) returns 6 like people
# expect since ++$a is supposed to return after incrementing. But notice
# that now the result is 17 (what most people expect). Only possible reason
# I can think of, is a Perl bug (implementation error on precedence).
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (&prePlus + ($bb = $a--)) + ($bbb = $a++);
print "5: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 5 shows the same as case 4, but really isolating the ++$a call.
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (&prePlus + &postSub) + &postSub;
print "6: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 6 is just like 5 with more isolation
#######################
$a = 5;
$c = (($b = &prePlus) + ($bb = &postSub)) + ($bbb = &postSub);
print "7: $c ", $a, " $b $bb $bbb \n\n";
#######################
# Case 7 is nothing surprising, by now
#######################
sub prePlus {
print "In prePlus and a is: $a\n";
return ++$a;
}
sub postPlus {
print "In postPlus and a is: $a\n";
return $a++;
}
sub postSub {
print "In postSub and a is: $a\n";
return $a--;
}
ASKER
manesher
seems nobody is commenting now.
better if i give the points to you.
but pls let me know the answer if whenever you get to know
my id is
sardeshmukh@email.com
seems nobody is commenting now.
better if i give the points to you.
but pls let me know the answer if whenever you get to know
my id is
sardeshmukh@email.com
ASKER
manesher
seems nobody is commenting now.
better if i give the points to you.
but pls let me know the answer whenever you get to know
my id is
sardeshmukh@email.com
seems nobody is commenting now.
better if i give the points to you.
but pls let me know the answer whenever you get to know
my id is
sardeshmukh@email.com
ASKER
I think manesher gave the best answer.
ASKER
I think manesher gave the best answer. i am giving him points
ASKER
Comment accepted as answer
$int = ($a=++$int) + ($b=$int++) + ($c=$int--);
and
$int = ($a=++$int) + ($b=--$int) + ($c=$int++) + ($d=$int--)
might force the behavior you may have been expecting, but I wouldn't recommend that you confuse yourself or your readers with side effects that way.
You should probably try to use side effects only in ways that would have a defined sequence in a strictly conforming C program.