How to Use Conditional Operator in JavaScript
The conditional operator, also known as the ternary operator, is a versatile feature in JavaScript that allows you to make decisions based on certain conditions. It is a concise way to write simple if-else statements and can make your code more readable and maintainable. In this article, we will explore how to use the conditional operator in JavaScript and provide some practical examples to help you understand its usage.
The syntax of the conditional operator is as follows:
“`javascript
condition ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse;
“`
Here, the `condition` is evaluated first. If the condition is true, the expression returns `valueIfTrue`; otherwise, it returns `valueIfFalse`. This operator is particularly useful when you want to assign a value to a variable based on a condition.
Let’s take a look at some examples to understand how the conditional operator works in JavaScript.
Example 1: Assigning a value to a variable based on a condition
“`javascript
let age = 18;
let canVote = (age >= 18) ? “Yes” : “No”;
console.log(canVote); // Output: “Yes”
“`
In this example, we have a variable `age` with a value of 18. The conditional operator checks if `age` is greater than or equal to 18. Since the condition is true, the expression returns “Yes”, and the value is assigned to the `canVote` variable.
Example 2: Displaying a message based on a condition
“`javascript
let score = 85;
let message = (score >= 90) ? “Excellent!” : (score >= 70) ? “Good job!” : “Try harder!”;
console.log(message); // Output: “Good job!”
“`
In this example, we have a variable `score` with a value of 85. The conditional operator checks the condition in a nested manner. First, it checks if `score` is greater than or equal to 90. Since the condition is false, it moves to the next condition and checks if `score` is greater than or equal to 70. Since the condition is true, the expression returns “Good job!”, and the value is assigned to the `message` variable.
Example 3: Using the conditional operator as a shortcut for an if-else statement
“`javascript
let isRaining = true;
let shouldTakeAnUmbrella = isRaining ? “Yes” : “No”;
if (isRaining) {
shouldTakeAnUmbrella = “Yes”;
} else {
shouldTakeAnUmbrella = “No”;
}
console.log(shouldTakeAnUmbrella); // Output: “Yes”
“`
In this example, we have a variable `isRaining` with a value of `true`. The conditional operator is used as a shortcut for the if-else statement. It checks if `isRaining` is true and assigns the appropriate value to the `shouldTakeAnUmbrella` variable.
In conclusion, the conditional operator in JavaScript is a powerful tool for making decisions based on conditions. By understanding its syntax and practical examples, you can write more concise and readable code. Remember to use the conditional operator wisely and avoid overcomplicating your code with nested conditions.
