Newbie-ish & "--"

[HotShot99]

OK a really simple one, but it's perplexing me...

I have the following code: (someone else's)

$dogcount = count($array); // =13 (for example)

$dogcount--; // What does this action do?

I don't understand what the "--" in the second line does.

Searching is almost impossible for this one!

Thanks,
Chas

[bubblenut]

It post-decrements* the $dogcount variable by one.

*post-decrement: The value is reduced by one after the expression is completed. This is of no relevance in this situation in some situations. See the following exampl.

$i=5;
echo($i."\n"); //prints 5
echo($i--."\n"); //prints 5 because the decrement is done after the expression
echo($i."\n"); //prints 4
echo(--$i."\n"); //prints 3 because the decrement is done before the expression.

I've just thought of a much, much easier way of explaining all this. It's the operate of the increment operator ++ 😃

HTH
Bubble