Decrement operator: It is an operator (--) which adds one to its operand. This has two forms: pre-decrement (--x) and post-decrement (x--). In its pre-decrement form, the outcome of the expression is the value of its argument subsequent to the decrement. In its post-decrement form, the outcome is the value of its argument previous to the decrement is executed. Subsequent to the following,
int a = 5, b = 5;
int y,z;
y = --a;
z = b--
y has the value of 4 and z has the value of 5. Both a and b encompass the value 4.