Short Hand If... else (Ternary)

Short Hand If...Else (Ternary)

The ternary operator squeezes a small if/else choice into one line. It is perfect for picking one of two values.

The shape

variable = (condition) ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse;

• First evaluate the condition.
• If it is true, the whole expression becomes valueIfTrue.
• If it is false, the whole expression becomes valueIfFalse.

An example

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
  int time = 20;
  string result = (time < 18) ? "Good day." : "Good evening.";
  cout << result << endl;
  return 0;
}

Since 20 < 18 is false, result holds the value after the colon: "Good evening."

Same as a regular if/else

The line above:

string result = (time < 18) ? "Good day." : "Good evening.";

is the one-line version of:

string result;
if (time < 18) {
  result = "Good day.";
} else {
  result = "Good evening.";
}

Use it for short choices

The ternary shines when the choice is a single quick value. For longer logic, stick with a plain if/else so the code stays easy to read.

TL;DR

• Shape: variable = (condition) ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse;
• True picks the value before the colon; false picks the one after.
• It is a one-line version of a full if/else.
• Keep it to small, simple selections.