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JavaScript JavaScript Loops, Arrays and Objects Simplify Repetitive Tasks with Loops Exiting Loops

You use the increment operator i++; in one of the questions without using or explaining it beforehand.

I questioned on an earlier video why you had not introduced the increment and decrement operators and I have just noticed that it appears in one the questions following this video without ever being mentioned or explained beforehand.

I also want to comment Phil that even a year later the video hasn't been edited to explain that. I see that as quite a problem: introducing new syntax by accident without explaining it, but then with student feedback not changing the video content to fix it.

2 Answers

Jonathan Grieve
MOD
Jonathan Grieve
Treehouse Moderator 91,252 Points

I've not seen the ++ or -- operators in loops yet, and I agree it's not usual (certainly in my own experience) to use += to increment in loops. I think it's down to personal preference in real life projects.

Just know that += 1 and ++ do the same thing. They perform calculations on integer values adding to a variable by 1.

One advantage of += is the ability to increment by a value other than 1, e.g. +=2. or being able to increment after the loop has completed so as to be able to use the counter to keep track depending on the circumstance, e.g. =+1. ++ and -- are simply used to save time. don't yo think.

Jonathan Grieve
Jonathan Grieve
Treehouse Moderator 91,252 Points

Absolutely. My point was I don't usually see ++ or -- used in Treehouse videos, mainly because the examples shown are about counting in more than one increment. Much more exciting than the typical "loop a counter to 10" example you often see elsewhere. :-)

Bruno Dias
Bruno Dias
10,554 Points

Thank you guys for clarifying!