Question

y=x++;

In how many steps does it break at compiler level without optimization not at CPU level or instructions ?
Does any temporary is created to assign x to y or, it happens directly ?

Answer 1

C++ follows the as-if principle, so the answer really is “n” steps.

• it could be 2: 1) assign x to y. 2) increment x.
• it could be 1 if y is never used
• it could be undefined behavior, is y is declared as int& y = x;
• it could be 100 assignments and reassignments that in the end yield the same result.