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JavaScript•JavaScript Foundations

The JavaScript Ternary Operator

Example

let text = (age < 18) ?  "Minor" : "Adult";

Example

let isMember = true;
let discount = isMember ? 0.2 : 0;

Example

let isMember = false;
let discount = isMember ? 0.2 : 0;

The conditional operator is a shorthand for writing conditional if...else statements.

It is called a ternary operator because it takes three operands.

Syntax

(
condition
) ?
 expression1
expression2

Parameters

ParameterDescription
conditionRequired. The condition to be tested. An expression that evaluates to true or false .
?Required. The operator separating the condition from the expressions.
expression1Required. The value to return if the condition is true .
:Required. The operator separating the expressions.
expression2Required. The value to return if the condition is false .

The conditional (ternary) operator is the only JavaScript operator that takes three operands.

Browser Support

() ? x : y is an ES1 feature (JavaScript 1997).

It is fully supported in all browsers:

ChromeIEEdgeFirefoxSafariOpera
YesYesYesYesYesYes

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