New C++ experimental feature: The tadpole operators

How often have you had to write code like this:

x = (y + 1) % 10;
x = (y + 1) * (z - 1);
x = (wcslen(s) + 1) * sizeof(wchar_t);

Since the + and - operators have such low precedence, you end up having to parenthesize them a lot, which can lead to heavily nested code that is hard to read.

Visual Studio 2015 RC contains a pair of experimental operators, nicknamed tadpole operators. They let you add and subtract one from an integer value without needing parentheses.

x = -~y % 10;
x = -~y * ~-z;
x = -~wcslen(s) * sizeof(wchar_t);

They’re called tadpole operators because they look like a tadpole swimming toward or away from the value. The tilde is the tadpole’s head and the hyphen is the tail.

To enable the experimental tadpole operators, add this line to the top of your C++ file

#define __ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL_TADPOLE_OPERATORS

For example, here’s a simple program that illustrates the tadpole operators.

#define __ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL_TADPOLE_OPERATORS 
#include <ios>
#include <iostream>
#include <istream>
 
int __cdecl main(int, char**)
{
   int n = 3;
   std::cout << "3 + 1 = " << -~n << std::endl;
   std::cout << "(3 - 1) * (3 + 1) " << ~-n * -~n << std::endl;
   return 0;
}

Remember that these operators are still experimental. They are not officially part of C++, but you can play with them and give your feedback here learn more about them here.