C Academy · Lesson

Assignment and Increment

=, +=, ++, --.

Lesson 3 of 413 steps

Assignment and Increment is a free C Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The C Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.

The Assignment Operator

The = operator stores the value on its right into the variable on its left. It is not equality.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int x;
    x = 10;
    printf("x = %d\n", x);
    return 0;
}

Assignment Is an Expression

In C, an assignment produces a value (the assigned value). This lets you chain assignments.

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

Compound Assignment

Operators like += combine arithmetic with assignment. x += 3 means x = x + 3.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int x = 10;
    x += 5;
    printf("x = %d\n", x);
    return 0;
}

All Compound Forms

The same shorthand exists for every arithmetic operator: -=, *=, /=, %=.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int x = 20;
    x -= 4;
    x *= 2;
    x %= 7;
    printf("x = %d\n", x);
    return 0;
}

The Increment Operator

++ adds one to a variable. x++ is shorter than x = x + 1.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int count = 0;
    count++;
    count++;
    printf("count = %d\n", count);
    return 0;
}

The Decrement Operator

-- subtracts one from a variable.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int lives = 3;
    lives--;
    printf("lives = %d\n", lives);
    return 0;
}

Post-Increment

With post-increment x++, the current value is used first, then x is increased.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int x = 5;
    int y = x++;
    printf("x = %d, y = %d\n", x, y);
    return 0;
}

Pre-Increment

With pre-increment ++x, x is increased first, then its new value is used.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int x = 5;
    int y = ++x;
    printf("x = %d, y = %d\n", x, y);
    return 0;
}

Increment in Loops

Increment shines in loops, where it advances a counter each pass.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
        printf("i = %d\n", i);
    return 0;
}

Avoid Confusing Expressions

Using a variable multiple times with ++ in one expression like i = i++ + ++i is undefined behavior. Keep increments simple.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int i = 0;
    i++;
    i++;
    printf("i = %d\n", i);
    return 0;
}

Putting It Together

Combine compound assignment and increment to track a running total.

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void) {
    int total = 0;
    for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
        total += i;
    printf("total = %d\n", total);
    return 0;
}

Quick Check

Test your understanding of assignment and increment.

Answer it in the interactive lesson

Recap: Assignment and Increment

You learned assignment and the increment family.

= stores a value and is itself an expression
Compound operators like += are handy shorthands
++ and -- change by one
Post vs pre differs in when the change is visible
Avoid modifying one variable twice in a single expression

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the “Assignment and Increment” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Assignment and Increment” is free to read here on the web. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO. The C Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.

What will I learn in “Assignment and Increment”?

=, +=, ++, --. You practise C Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start C Academy?

No prior experience is required. C Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 3 of 4.

How long does the “Assignment and Increment” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this C Academy lesson?

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