++someVariable vs. someVariable++ in JavaScript

I've an explanation of understanding post-increment and pre-increment. So I'm putting it here.

Lets assign 0 to x

let x = 0;

Lets start with post-increment

console.log(x++); // Outputs 0

Why?

Lets break the x++ expression down

x = x;
x = x + 1;

First statement returns the value of x which is 0

And later when you use x variable anywhere, then the second statement is executed

Second statement returns the value of this x + 1 expression which is (0 + 1) = 1

Keep in mind the value of x at this state which is 1

Now lets start with pre-increment

console.log(++x); // Outputs 2

Why?

Lets break the ++x expression down

x = x + 1;
x = x;

First statement returns the value of this x + 1 expression which is (1 + 1) = 2

Second statement returns the value of x which is 2 so x = 2 thus it returns 2

Hope this would help you understand what post-increment and pre-increment are!

var a = 1;
var b = ++a;
alert('a:' + a + ';b:' + b); //a:2;b:2

var c = 1;
var d = c++;
alert('c:' + c + ';d:' + d); //c:2;d:1

jsfiddle

It is clearer and faster to use ++i if possible :

• ++i guarantees that you are using a value of i that will remains the same unless you change i
• i++ allows to use a value of i which will change in the "near future", it is not desirable if possible

Of course, it's not really much faster, only a little.