Conditional (Ternary) Operator (?:) (JavaScript)
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Contributors
Returns one of two expressions depending on a condition.
Syntax
test ? expression1 : expression2
Parameters
test
Any Boolean expression.
expression1
An expression returned if test is true. May be a comma expression.
expression2
An expression returned if test is false. More than one expression may be a linked by a comma expression.
Remarks
The ?: operator can be used as a shortcut for an if...else statement. It is typically used as part of a larger expression where an if...else statement would be awkward. For example:
var now = new Date();
var greeting = "Good" + ((now.getHours() > 17) ? " evening." : " day.");
The example creates a string containing "Good evening." if it is after 6pm. The equivalent code using an if...else statement would look as follows:
var now = new Date();
var greeting = "Good";
if (now.getHours() > 17)
greeting += " evening.";
else
greeting += " day.";
Requirements
Supported in the following document modes: Quirks, Internet Explorer 6 standards, Internet Explorer 7 standards, Internet Explorer 8 standards, Internet Explorer 9 standards, Internet Explorer 10 standards, Internet Explorer 11 standards. Also supported in Store apps (Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1). See Version Information.
See Also
if...else Statement
Operator Precedence
Operator Summary (JavaScript)
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