c++conditional-operator

How do I use the conditional (ternary) operator?

I've always wondered how to write the "A ? B : C" syntax in a C++ compatible language.

I think it works something like: (Pseudo code)

If A > B
   C = A
Else
   C = B

How can I achieve this?

Solution

  • It works like this:

    (condition) ? true-clause : false-clause

    It's most commonly used in assignment operations, although it has other uses as well. The ternary operator ? is a way of shortening an if-else clause, and is also called an immediate-if statement in other languages (IIf(condition,true-clause,false-clause) in VB, for example).

    For example:

    bool Three = SOME_VALUE;
int x = Three ? 3 : 0;

    is the same as

    bool Three = SOME_VALUE;
int x;
if (Three)
    x = 3;
else
    x = 0;