Array Question

[cardinals03]

I know the answer to the following problem is 17, but I need someone to explain the process to me.

What will be the contents of a[0] after the execution of the following code:

int a[5];
for (int j=0; j<5; j++)
a[j] = 3*j - 1;
for (j=3; j>=0; j--)
a[j] = a[j+1] + j;

Can anyone help? I assumed the answer to be -1 because 3*0-1=-1
I am learning c++ completely online.
What am I missing?

Thanks

[helios]

http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/general/10128/

The second for decrements j.
By the way, the code is using an old standard. A modern compiler will produce an error.