< previous page page_94 next page >

Page 94
In Chapter 2, we introduced the elements of the C++ language and discussed how to construct and run very simple programs. In this chapter we revisit two topics in greater depth: writing arithmetic expressions and formatting the output to make it informative and easy to read. We also show how to make programs more powerful by using library functions-prewritten functions that are part of every C++ system and are available for use by any program.
Arithmetic Expressions
The expressions we've used so far have contained at most a single arithmetic operator. We also have been careful not to mix values of different data types in an expression. Now we look at more complicated expressions-ones that are composed of several operators and ones that contain mixed data types.
Precedence Rules
Arithmetic expressions can be made up of many constants, variables, operators, and parentheses. In what order are the operations performed? For example, in the assignment statement
avgTemp = FREEZE_PT + BOIL_PT / 2.0;
is FREEZE_PT + BOIL_PT calculated first or is BOIL_PT / 2.0 calculated first?
The five basic arithmetic operators (+ for addition, - for subtraction, * for multiplication, / for division, and % for modulus) and parentheses are ordered the same way mathematical operators are, according to precedence rules:
Highest precedence:
()
* / %
Lowest precedence:
+ -

In the example above, we divide BOlL_PT by 2.0 first and then add FREEZE_PT to the result.
You can change the order of evaluation by using parentheses. In the statement
avgTemp = (FREEZE_PT + BOIL_PT) / 2.0;

 
< previous page page_94 next page >