Ternary Operator in C++

A ternary operator is a C++ shorthand if-else statement, which helps to evaluate conditions more easily. It can be used only for simple statements, but it can also be nested and has many advantages, too. In this article, we will discuss what a ternary operator is, nested ternary operators, advantages and disadvantages of the ternary operator, the difference between the ternary operator and the if-else statement in C++, and best practices for using the ternary operator in C++.

Table of Contents:

• What is a Ternary Operator in C++?
• How to Use Nested Ternary Operators in C++
• Key Benefits of Using Ternary Operators in C++
• Drawbacks and Limitations of Ternary Operators in C++
• Ternary Operator vs If-Else in C++: Key Differences
• Best Practices for Using the Ternary Operator in C++
• Practical Use Cases of the Ternary Operator in C++
• Conclusion

What is a Ternary Operator in C++?

The ternary operator in C++ is a shorthand conditional operator (?:) that evaluates a condition and returns one of two values based on whether the condition is true or false. If the condition is true, then expression1 is executed; otherwise, expression2 is executed. It is a C++ shorthand for if-else statements. It is also called a conditional operator in C++ and uses the ?: symbol.

C++ Ternary Operator Syntax:

condition? expr1 : expr2;

Where,

• condition: It is a Boolean expression.
• expression1: It is executed if the condition is true.
• expression2: It is executed if the condition is false.

Ternary Operator Example in C++:

Output:

The code shows how the ternary operator is used to find the larger of two integers a and b, and then the result is printed.

How to Use Nested Ternary Operators in C++

Nested ternary operators in C++ are the ternary expressions placed in other ternary expressions. They are used to evaluate multiple conditions easily, but are not good for readability.

C++ Nested Ternary Operator Syntax:

condition1 ? expr1 : (condition2 ? expr2 : expr3);

Nested Ternary Operator Example in C++:

Output:

The code shows how the nested ternary operator is used to find the maximum of three integers, a, b, and c, and then the result is printed based on the given conditions evaluated in a chained manner.

Key Benefits of Using Ternary Operators in C++

• Simple syntax: It allows writing the condition and logic in a single line, which helps to reduce the code lines.
• Improves readability: The ternary operator is very simple and makes the code compact, thus improving the readability of the code.
• Good for assignment of values: This operator can be used for assigning values without using the if-else statements.
• Return statements easily: It returns different values based on the conditions in one line.
• Reduces lines of code: Ternary helps to make the code shorter by eliminating the need for the number of lines of if-else code in simple logic.

Drawbacks and Limitations of Ternary Operators in C++

• Nested ternary operators make code harder to read and understand due to multiple chains.
• A ternary operator cannot replace the if-else statement completely. It can only replace simple if-else statements that return or assign values.
• It is very difficult to find the errors in the nested ternary operators.
• Using a ternary operator multiple times in a single code can make the code complex and make it harder to edit the code in the future.

Ternary Operator vs If-Else in C++: Key Differences

Here is the comparison table for the Ternary operator vs if-else in C++:

Best Practices for Using the Ternary Operator in C++

• You must use a ternary operator in C++ only for simple and clear conditions.
• You should not use the nested ternary operator in C++ unless it is important to use it in the code.
• Always be careful when using the ternary operator with the return statements.
• You must avoid using the increment and decrement operators within the ternary expressions.
• You must not overuse the ternary operator in the code.
• Always use the nested ternary operator in C++ with care, as it is harder to debug.

Practical Use Cases of the Ternary Operator in C++

Here are a few practical use cases of the ternary operator in C++ (Conditional Operator in C++):

1. Finding the larger number: You can find the larger of two numbers using a ternary operator.

Example: int max = (a > b) ? a : b;

2. Checking if a number is even or odd: The Ternary operator is also used to check if a number is even or odd.

Example: string result = (num % 2 == 0) ? "Even": "Odd";

3. Finding a valid value if the input is negative: By using the ternary operator, you can check if the input is negative and assign 0 instead.

Example: int value = (input < 0) ? 0 : input;

4. Checking if a student passed or failed: You can check the marks and decide if the result is “Pass” or “Fail” with the help of the ternary operator.

Example: string status = (marks >= 40) ? "Pass": "Fail";

5. Finding the discount based on the amount: The ternary operator can also be used to check the purchase amount and choose the right discount.

Example: int discount = (amount > 1000) ? 10:5;

Conclusion

The ternary operator in C++ can be used for simple conditional statements, also known as the Conditional Operator in C++. It also improves readability and can be nested easily. But if the ternary operator is overused, then it may cause errors in the code. So, by understanding the ternary operator with examples in C++, its advantages and disadvantages with best practices, you can easily write a C++ program using the ternary operator without any error.

Ternary Operators in C++ – FAQs