Which programming concept refers to reducing a variable's value by one?

The programming concept that refers to reducing a variable's value by one is known as decrementing. Decrementing specifically involves taking a variable that holds a numeric value and subtracting one from it, thereby decreasing its value.

This term is commonly used in programming contexts, such as in loops or algorithms where a counter variable is adjusted. For instance, if a variable x has a value of 5 and is decremented, its new value will be 4. This operation is essential in scenarios like counting down, iterating through a list in reverse, or managing resource limits efficiently.

While incrementing refers to increasing a variable's value by one, and the terms manipulate and change are more general and do not specifically denote a decrease, decrement targets the exact action of reduction.