loop iterator

[Glen Iris]

Hi,

What is the difference, if any, between:

for (int x = 1; x < 4; x++) {
            System.out.println(x);
        }

Prints "123"

and

for (int x = 1; x < 4; ++x) {
            System.out.println(x);
        }

also prints "123"

[Stephan van Hulst]

Nothing. I prefer the first because I like the way it looks better.

[Zeeshan Sheikh]

Well in a loop you wouldn't see this difference. The value will always increment. To understand prefix and postfix increments consider following example

static int x = 0;

public static void main(String[] args) {

System.out.println ("The value of x: " + x++); //output 0
System.out.println ("The value of x: " + x); //output 1
System.out.println ("The value of x: " + ++x); //output 2
}

In first output current value of x will output and then it will be incremented
In last output statement value is incremented and and 2 will output on console.

As far as your example goes I don't think there will be any difference on the output.

I hope this helps.

[Fab Miredino]

Hi Glen,

Maybe it would be more clear for you, if you see the loop for as a loop while. You can always change a loop into a while loop.

int x = 1;
while ( x < 4) {
            System.out.println(x);
            x++;
}

and

int x = 1;
while ( x < 4) {
            System.out.println(x);
            ++x;
}

[Glen Iris]

Thanks Stephan - I thought as much.

Thank you Zeeshan. I should have stated that in the OP.

Thank you Fab - thats a good idea :-)