C Exercises: Demonstrates the difference between predecrementing and postdecrementing using the decrement operator

Last update on September 18 2025 12:37:08 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Demonstrate predecrementing vs postdecrementing

Write a C program to demonstrate the difference between predecrementing and postdecrementing using the decrement operator --.

Sample Solution:

C Code:

#include<stdio.h>
int main()
{
    int x = 10; // Initialize variable x with value 10
    
    // Predecrementing
    printf("Predecrementing:\n");
    printf("x   = %d\n", x); // Print current value of x
    printf("x-- = %d\n", x--); // Print x and then decrement it
    printf("x   = %d\n\n", x); // Print updated value of x
    
    x = 10; // Reset x to 10
    
    // Postdecrementing
    printf("Postdecrementing:\n");
    printf("  x = %d\n", x); // Print current value of x
    printf("--x = %d\n", --x); // Decrement x and then print it
    printf("  x = %d\n", x); // Print updated value of x
    
    return 0;
}

Sample Output:

Predecrementing:
x   = 10
x-- = 10
x   = 9

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a C program to illustrate the differences between predecrement and postdecrement in various expressions.
• Write a C program to demonstrate the effects of pre- and post-decrement operations within loop constructs.
• Write a C program to show how predecrement and postdecrement affect pointer arithmetic in an array.
• Write a C program to compare the results of predecrement vs postdecrement in complex arithmetic expressions.

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