Different Types of Expressions in C Program

An expression is a combination of operators and operands which reduces to a single value. An operation is performed on a data item which is called an operand. An operator indicates an operation to be performed on data.

For example, z = 3+2*1

z = 5

• Primary expressions − It is an operand which can be a name, a constant or any parenthesized expression. Example − c = a+ (5*b);

• Postfix expressions − In a postfix expression, the operator will be after the operand. Example − ab+

• Prefix expressions − n a prefix expression, the operator is before the operand. Example − +ab

• Unary expression − It contains one operator and one operand. Example − a++, --b

• Binary expression − t contains two operands and one operator. Example − a+b, c-d

• Ternary expression − It contains three operands and one operator. For Example, Exp1? Exp2 − Exp3. If Exp1 is true, Exp2 is executed. Otherwise, Exp3 is executed.

Example

Given below is the C program explaining the different types of expressions in C language −

 Live Demo

#include<stdio.h>
int main(){
   int a,b,c,d,z;
   int p,q,r,s,t,u,v;
   printf("enter the values of a,b,c,d:
");
   scanf("%d%d%d%d",&a,&b,&c,&d);
   r=a++;
   s=--b;
   t=a+b;
   u=c-d;
   v=a+(5*b);
   z = (5>3) ? 1:0;
   printf("unaryexpression=%d
unary expression=%d
 Binary
   expression=%d
Binary expression=%d
Primary expression=%d
Ternary expression=%d
",r,s,t,u,v,z);
}

Output

You will see the following output −

enter the values of a,b,c,d:
2 3 4 6
unary expression=2
unary expression=2
Binary expression=5
Binary expression=-2
Primary expression=13
Ternary expression=1