unable to make out this assignment in java

Question

can anybody explain this why its happening

int i=0;
i=i++;
i=i++;
i=i++;
System.out.println(i);

it prints zero.

Answer 1

i++ is a postincrement (JLS 15.14.2). It increments i, but the result of the expression is the value of i before the increment. Assigning this value back to i in effect keeps the value of i unchanged.

Break it down like this:

int i = 0;
int j = i++;

It's easy to see why j == 0 in this case. Now, instead of j, we substitute the left hand side with i. The right hand side value is still 0, and that's why you get i == 0 in your snippet.

Answer 2

You meant to do this:

int i = 0;
i++;
i++;
i++;
System.out.println(i);

i++ actually does an assignment so if you add an = you just confuse things. These other fine responders can give you the nitty gritty, some details of it escape me. :)