Stump the CFChump – 1

November 28, 2012 by Mike Henke

Posted under: cfchump · ColdFusion

I am doing a "Stump the CFChump" series. I recently passed the ColdFusion 9 exam and this is material I learned while studying. I have several CodeSchool gift cards to giveaway so comments who answer correctly I'll email you the discount code. "Stump the Chumps" is from the "Car Talk" so I am spinning that title for ColdFusion. These are questions that stumped me when studying.

Please try to not google or run the code before answering.
Must have your correct email address when commenting to receive a CodeSchool giftcard
Giftcards are available until I run out for correct answers

Stump the CFChump 1

Question

What will display when this code is ran?

<cfset myvar = 4> <cfoutput> #++myvar# - #myvar--# </cfoutput>

Answers

A. 5 – 4

B. 5 – 5

C. 4 – 3

D. 5 – 3

cfchump · ColdFusion

13 Comments + Add Comment

Marc Esher Nov 28, 2012 at 5:13 AM PERMALINK

I know! It'll reach out of your monitor, slap you, and tell you to quit writing dumbass code

:-)
Mike Henke* Nov 28, 2012 at 5:16 AM PERMALINK

LOL, a co-worker asked when we'll use something like this. I couldn't really think of an instance except for maybe loops.
Ryan Anklam Nov 28, 2012 at 5:16 AM PERMALINK

Give Marc a gift card. Right now.
Dominic Watson Nov 28, 2012 at 5:21 AM PERMALINK

My gut would say 5 - 5, but I've no idea what CF does here. ++ What Marc said!
Brad Wood Nov 28, 2012 at 5:47 AM PERMALINK

I'm going with 5 - 5 as well since the first increments before using it and the second increments after using it.
Brad Wood Nov 28, 2012 at 5:49 AM PERMALINK

Err, the second decrements I mean.
Paul Klinkenberg Nov 28, 2012 at 5:54 AM PERMALINK

A for sure. Or at least somewhat sure ;-)
Paul Klinkenberg Nov 28, 2012 at 5:55 AM PERMALINK

B! I meant B! Damnit.
Michael Zock Nov 28, 2012 at 5:55 AM PERMALINK

Since I'm waiting for several Ant tasks to finish anyway ...

#++myvar# -> increment BEFORE use -> outputs 5
#myvar--# -> decrement AFTER use -> outputs 5

Expected result: B
Mike Henke* Nov 28, 2012 at 8:32 AM PERMALINK

I'll give the previous answer on the next Stump the CFChump question :-) I have about a dozen of these wacky study material.
Curt Gratz Nov 28, 2012 at 9:03 AM PERMALINK

I am with Marc Esher, but and the answer is B. unless of course you refactor to #++myvar# - #--myvar#, then it is A, unless of course you refactor to #myvar# - #--myvar#, then the answer is C, unless of course you refactor to #++myvar# - #--myvar-1#, then the answer is D.

WAT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXEgk1Hdze0
Dominic Watson Nov 28, 2012 at 12:04 PM PERMALINK

Wohoo! Never knew CF did pre and post evaluating incrementors - is that what they're called? I remember learning about them just out of school some 13 years ago - never found a use for them myself. Anyone got an example of how you'd use them in web development?!
Garry Nov 29, 2012 at 1:38 AM PERMALINK

5 -5 ??

And a final <cfoutput>#myvar#</cfoutput> would read 4.

I think. I don't tend to use operators like that.