Compound assignment
Description
Operators such as += update a variable.
Explanation
score += 5 means score = score + 5.
Example
int score = 70;
score += 5;← Chapter 2 — Core Syntax & Data
11. Assignment & Increment Operators
mixed
Description
Assignment stores a value in a variable. Compound assignments combine an operation with assignment, which can make an update concise.
Increment and decrement change a numeric value by one. Prefix and postfix forms differ in when the old or new value is used in a larger expression.
Subtopics
Increment
Description
++ adds one and -- subtracts one.
Explanation
Use a separate statement when clarity matters.
Example
int attempts = 0;
attempts++;Explanation
Avoid combining several increments in one expression while learning. A clear update followed by a clear use is much easier to debug.
Example
public class UpdateDemo {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int completedLessons = 4;
completedLessons++;
System.out.println(completedLessons);
}
}Key points
- = assigns a value.
- += combines addition and assignment.
- ++ changes a value by one.