Why this happens

[Sujeevan Nagarajah]

Hi,
I know this is a bad question. In real situation we won't use this. But I just want to know why this happens.

int a = 1;
a = a++;
System.out.println(a);

Why does this print 1?

Since this is a postfix increment, the value is assigned first So value is 1. Then executes the postfix increment. So value should be 2.

Anybody knows the answer?

[Jesper de Jong]

This question is asked often on JavaRanch, so we have a section in our FAQ about this: Post Increment Operator and Assignment.

[Sujeevan Nagarajah]

Thank You Jesper.

That means the value of the increment is evaluated first regardless of the type of increment. But post increament uses value before increment (remembered) and pre increment uses value after increment.

[Jesper de Jong]

Yes, exactly!