Conditional (Ternary) Operator

Programming is about making decisions. Usually, we use if-else statements, but there is a faster way to write simple logic. The conditional operator, known as the ternary operator, allows you to assign a value based on a condition in one short line.

Ternary Operator ( ? : )

The only operator in many languages that takes three arguments: a condition, a value if true, and a value if false. Syntax: condition ? true : false.

How it works: Comparison with if-else

This operator doesn't replace complex logic but is perfect for simple choices.

Cecha	Feature	Classic if-else
Syntax	Multi-line, block-based	Single-line, concise
Returning	Requires explicit assignment	Returns value directly
Readability	High for multiple conditions	High for simple choices

Code Example

See how the same problem (checking adulthood) is solved in two ways:

Before

1if (age >= 18) { status = 'adult'; } else { status = 'child'; }

After

1status = (age >= 18) ? 'adult' : 'child';

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Nesting Operators

Using one ternary operator inside another (e.g., a ? b : c ? d : e) makes the code unreadable. In these cases, always revert to classic if-else.

Quiz: Check your knowledge

What will be the result of: int x = (10 > 5) ? 1 : 0; ?

What next?

Practice converting simple if-else statements into conditional operators.
Learn about Nullish Coalescing (??) in modern JavaScript.
Check how the ternary operator works in Python (syntax: x if condition else y).

Conditional (Ternary) Operator

Ternary Operator ( ? : )

The only operator in many languages that takes three arguments: a condition, a value if true, and a value if false. Syntax: condition ? true : false.

How it works: Comparison with if-else

This operator doesn't replace complex logic but is perfect for simple choices.

Cecha	Feature	Classic if-else
Syntax	Multi-line, block-based	Single-line, concise
Returning	Requires explicit assignment	Returns value directly
Readability	High for multiple conditions	High for simple choices

Code Example

See how the same problem (checking adulthood) is solved in two ways:

Before

1if (age >= 18) { status = 'adult'; } else { status = 'child'; }

After

1status = (age >= 18) ? 'adult' : 'child';

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Nesting Operators

Using one ternary operator inside another (e.g., a ? b : c ? d : e) makes the code unreadable. In these cases, always revert to classic if-else.

Quiz: Check your knowledge

What will be the result of: int x = (10 > 5) ? 1 : 0; ?

What next?

Practice converting simple if-else statements into conditional operators.
Learn about Nullish Coalescing (??) in modern JavaScript.
Check how the ternary operator works in Python (syntax: x if condition else y).

Conditional Operator: Short-hand if-else in one line

Conditional (Ternary) Operator

How it works: Comparison with if-else

Code Example

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Quiz: Check your knowledge

What next?

You might also like

Relational and Logical Operators: How to Compare Data?

Mathematical Operators: The Foundation of Computing

Reserved Keywords: List of Key Terms in IT

Conditional Operator: Short-hand if-else in one line

Conditional (Ternary) Operator

How it works: Comparison with if-else

Code Example

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Quiz: Check your knowledge

What next?

You might also like

Relational and Logical Operators: How to Compare Data?

Mathematical Operators: The Foundation of Computing

Reserved Keywords: List of Key Terms in IT