C Programming: Assignment Operators
Assignment Operators in C Programming
Overview
In C programming, assignment operators are used to assign values to variables. The simple assignment operator is =. C also supports shorthand assignment operators that combine an operation with assignment, making the code more concise.
Key Topics:
- Simple Assignment Operator
- Shorthand Addition Assignment (+=)
- Shorthand Subtraction Assignment (-=)
- Shorthand Multiplication Assignment (*=)
- Shorthand Division Assignment (/=)
- Shorthand Modulus Assignment (%=)
Simple Assignment Operator
=: Simple assignment, assigns a value to a variable.
Example:
Here the simple assignment operator = is used to assign a value to a variable.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 5;
// Prefix increment: 'a' is incremented first, then used
printf("Prefix increment: %d\n", ++a); // Output will be 6
return 0;
}
Output:
a = 5
Explanation:
- The variable a is assigned the value 5 using the simple assignment operator =.
- The value is then printed.
Shorthand Addition Assignment (+=)
+=: Adds a value to the variable.
Example:
The += operator is used to add a value to the variable and assign the result back to it.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 5; // Assign 5 to 'a'
a += 1; // Same as a = a + 1
printf("a = %d\n", a); // Output: a = 6
return 0;
}
Output:
a = 6
Explanation:
- Initially, a is assigned 5.
- The shorthand operator += is used to add 1 to a (a = a + 1).
- The value of a becomes 6 and is printed.
Shorthand Subtraction Assignment (-=)
-=: Subtracts a value from the variable.
- When to Use: Use this when you need the variable's value to be decremented before using it in an expression or operation.
- Why to Use: It ensures that the updated (decremented) value is used in the current expression immediately.
Example:
The -= operator subtracts a value from the variable and assigns the result back to it.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 5; // Assign 5 to 'a'
a -= 2; // Same as a = a - 2
printf("a = %d\n", a); // Output: a = 3
return 0;
}
Output:
a = 3
Explanation:
- The initial value of a is 5.
- The shorthand operator -= subtracts 2 from a, making it 3.
Shorthand Multiplication Assignment (*=)
*=: Multiplies the variable by a value.
Example:
The *= operator multiplies the variable by a value and assigns the result back to it.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 5; // Assign 5 to 'a'
a *= 3; // Same as a = a * 3
printf("a = %d\n", a); // Output: a = 15
return 0;
}
Output:
a = 15
Explanation:
- The initial value of a is 5.
- The shorthand operator *= multiplies a by 3, resulting in 15.
Shorthand Division Assignment (/=)
/=: Divides the variable by a value.
Example:
The /= operator divides the variable by a value and assigns the result back to it.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 10; // Assign 10 to 'a'
a /= 2; // Same as a = a / 2
printf("a = %d\n", a); // Output: a = 5
return 0;
}
Output:
a = 5
Explanation:
- Initially, a is assigned the value 10.
- The shorthand operator /= divides a by 2, making it 5.
Shorthand Modulus Assignment (%=)
%=: Assigns the remainder after dividing the variable by a value.
Example:
The %= operator calculates the remainder of division and assigns the result back to the variable.
Code:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int a = 10; // Assign 10 to 'a'
a %= 3; // Same as a = a % 3
printf("a = %d\n", a); // Output: a = 1
return 0;
}
Output:
a = 1
Explanation:
- Initially, a is assigned 10.
- The shorthand operator %= calculates the remainder when a is divided by 3, giving 1.
It will be nice if you may share this link in any developer community or anywhere else, from where other developers may find this content. Thanks.
https://www.w3resource.com/c-programming/c-assignment-operators.php
- Weekly Trends and Language Statistics
- Weekly Trends and Language Statistics