i have compiled this program but i am expecting the answer is 32
because first all the pre-increment of 'a' after that the value replacement . so the excepted result ..
but the outcome is 27.

#include<stdio.h>
int main(){
int a,b;
a=5;
a= a + ++a + ++a + ++a;
printf("value of a:%d \n", a );
return 0 ;
}


can any body explain the peculiar behavior of the printf () in pre-increment and the post - increment of the operator.

and important thing is that how all these things are maintained in the stack and flow of the increment of the value .

first a and ++a is solved from left, it is preincriment so first a becomes 6. so the answer is 12. then 12 + ++a will be solved, due to preincriment a becomes 7 and answer becomes 12+7=19 then 19 + ++a will be solved and now a becomes due to another incciment 8, so 19+8=27.
in this way computer calculates the value.

what I don't understand is your logic of getting the 32 answer.
a=
6(preincrement ahead) + 6(++a) = 12
12 + 7(++a preincrement so we get another 1)=19
19 + 8(++a)
= 27.

Fedora Development

Please, don't tell me you would ever ever EVER write anything like this in a real program. I'm sure you've been told that you should never use increments in combination with arithmetic, some results are actually undefined.

I think it is true result, you should note with a++ and ++a, they are different

ok , fine i agreed with your answer ,

but when i am trying to solve this

a = ++a + ++a;

answer is 14 how this result is possible.

Plz suggest how all these thing are done in stack. Mean how push and pop operation happen during the ++ (pre and post increment operation)

This sounds like a wacky question professors give you to try and make you really understand how something works (the compiler in this case and the way it uses a stack to execute mathematical expressions). I think a useful and interesting observation in this example is that the compiler doesn't store the value of a variable in the stack, instead it stores a pointer to a variable in the stack.

There are a few different ways to use a stack to correctly evaluate a mathematical expression while following the orders of operation.

I will do an example of a version the scans the expression from LEFT to RIGHT (this would be easier with a white board to visually represent the stack, but I will try with words. You should go along with this and create your own 'visualized' stack of what's going on on a piece of paper).1. LEFT to RIGHT way
-A pointer to the variable 'a' is pushed on the stack
-An '=' is pushed on the stack
-A pointer to 'a' is pushed on the stack
-A '+' is pushed on the stack
-the operation '++a' is carried out on 'a' and 'a' now equals 6
-the '+' is popped off the stack
-the 'a' is popped off the stack
-the expression 'a' + 'a' is evaluated to 12 (since a=6)
-the VALUE 12 is pushed onto the stack
-A '+' is pushed onto the stack
-the operation '++a' is carried out on 'a' and 'a' now equals 7
-the '+' is popped off the stack
-the VALUE 12 is popped off the stack
-the expression 12 + 'a' is evaluated to 19(since a=7)
-the VALUE 19 is pushed on the stack
-A '+' is pushed on the stack
-the operation '++a' is carried out on 'a' and 'a' now equals 8
-the '+' is popped of the stack
-the '19 is popped off the stack
-the expression 19 + 'a' is evaluated to 27(since a=8)
-the '=' is popped off the stack
-the 'a' is popped off the stack
-the operation a = 27 is evaluated
-a=27

This is one way of doing it. I have no clue how your compiler (or mine for that matter) actually does it. But this is one way it could do it.

The funny thing is, java will give you 26 (probably because it always stores values instead of pointers)!

Who's right, C++ or java!! lol.

I told you, the real answer is undefined, so different compilers will give different results, as will different languages.

I think I have to agree with you now. Here's a link to read.

Look at the bottom section.

Hv you checked the same in c++?. . .

ahh, thank you, if someone refused to believe me I was going to post a paragraph out of my C programming book that said the same thing.

i think u had still not understood the basic concept of a c compiler...
"+" operator evaluates values from "left to right"..
you had avaluated from "right to left" to get the answer...
only unary operators are executed from right to left....

who are you referring to in this case?

@ CRC123
What you explain is great...i am getting some what more information about ++ operator in stack.