DEC

**Decrement by **

OpcodeInstructionOp/En64-Bit ModeCompat/Leg ModeDescription
FE /1DEC r/m8MValidValidDecrement r/m8 by 1.
REX + FE /1DEC r/m8*MValidN.E.Decrement r/m8 by 1.
FF /1DEC r/m16MValidValidDecrement r/m16 by 1.
FF /1DEC r/m32MValidValidDecrement r/m32 by 1.
REX.W + FF /1DEC r/m64MValidN.E.Decrement r/m64 by 1.
48+rwDEC r16ON.E.ValidDecrement r16 by 1.
48+rdDEC r32ON.E.ValidDecrement r32 by 1.

* In64-bitmode,r/m8cannotbeencodedtoaccessthefollowingbyteregistersifaREXprefixisused:AH,BH,CH,DH.

Instruction Operand Encoding

Op/EnOperand 1Operand 2Operand 3Operand 4
MModRM:r/m (r, w)N/AN/AN/A
Oopcode + rd (r, w)N/AN/AN/A

Description

Subtracts 1 from the destination operand, while preserving the state of the CF flag. The destination operand can be a register or a memory location. This instruction allows a loop counter to be updated without disturbing the CF flag. (To perform a decrement operation that updates the CF flag, use a SUB instruction with an immediate operand of 1.)

This instruction can be used with a LOCK prefix to allow the instruction to be executed atomically.

In 64-bit mode, DEC r16 and DEC r32 are not encodable (because opcodes 48H through 4FH are REX prefixes). Otherwise, the instruction’s 64-bit mode default operation size is 32 bits. Use of the REX.R prefix permits access to additional registers (R8-R15). Use of the REX.W prefix promotes operation to 64 bits.

See the summary chart at the beginning of this section for encoding data and limits.

Operation

DEST := DEST – 1;

Flags Affected

The CF flag is not affected. The OF, SF, ZF, AF, and PF flags are set according to the result.

Protected Mode Exceptions

#​​​​GP(0)If the destination operand is located in a non-writable segment.
If a memory operand effective address is outside the CS, DS, ES, FS, or GS segment limit.
If the DS, ES, FS, or GS register contains a NULL segment selector.
#​​​​​SS(0)If a memory operand effective address is outside the SS segment limit.
#​PF(fault-code)If a page fault occurs.
#​AC(0)If alignment checking is enabled and an unaligned memory reference is made while the current privilege level is 3.
#​​​UDIf the LOCK prefix is used but the destination is not a memory operand.

Real-Address Mode Exceptions

#​​​​GPIf a memory operand effective address is outside the CS, DS, ES, FS, or GS segment limit.
#​​​​​SSIf a memory operand effective address is outside the SS segment limit.
#​​​UDIf the LOCK prefix is used but the destination is not a memory operand.

Virtual-8086 Mode Exceptions

#​​​​GP(0)If a memory operand effective address is outside the CS, DS, ES, FS, or GS segment limit.
#​​​​​SS(0)If a memory operand effective address is outside the SS segment limit.
#​PF(fault-code)If a page fault occurs.
#​AC(0)If alignment checking is enabled and an unaligned memory reference is made.
#​​​UDIf the LOCK prefix is used but the destination is not a memory operand.

Compatibility Mode Exceptions

Same exceptions as in protected mode.

64-Bit Mode Exceptions

#​​​​​SS(0)If a memory address referencing the SS segment is in a non-canonical form.
#​​​​GP(0)If the memory address is in a non-canonical form.
#​PF(fault-code)If a page fault occurs.
#​AC(0)If alignment checking is enabled and an unaligned memory reference is made while the current privilege level is 3.
#​​​UDIf the LOCK prefix is used but the destination is not a memory operand.

This UNOFFICIAL, mechanically-separated, non-verified reference is provided for convenience, but it may be incomplete or broken in various obvious or non-obvious ways. Refer to Intel® 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software Developer’s Manual for anything serious.