Simple short expressions in RPG

Short expressions – simple math expressions (+ = …)

: Is A=A+1 the same as A += 1 ?

The short answer is YES

If you are an old style RPG programmer, evolving into a modern RPG programmer you will frequently see this style of coding when looking at modern RPGLE code examples:

• $variable += 1;
• $variable -= 1;
• $variable *= 2;
• $variable /= 2;

This math notation simply means “take the right side and apply it to the left side of the value”

So – $variable += 1 could also be written at $variable = $variable + 1

Or we could negate a value by typing $variable *= -1

I like it and have used this style for years.

Try it!

But remember, don’t mix up up += with =+

• $variable += 1 will add one to the value $variable
• $variable =+ 1 will set the value of $variable to ‘+1’

😉