In this tutorial, you will learn is there a ternary conditional operator in Python.
Yes, Python introduced the ternary conditional operator in version 2.5! The syntax for the expression looks like this:
a if condition else b
Here’s how it works: first, the condition is evaluated. Based on the Boolean value of the condition, either a or b is evaluated and returned. If the condition is True, then a is returned, and b is ignored. If the condition is False, then b is returned, and a is ignored.
This feature allows for short-circuiting. When the condition is True, only a is evaluated, and b is not evaluated at all. Conversely, when the condition is False, only b is evaluated, and a is not considered.
Here’s an example:
result = 'true' if True else 'false' print(result) # Outputs: 'true'
Keep in mind that conditionals are expressions, not statements. This means you can’t use statements like pass or assignments within a conditional expression.
Feel free to use conditional expressions for assignments or return values, making your code concise and expressive:
x = a if True else b
However, be cautious about using it for more complex scenarios, as it might become harder to understand. Some Python developers frown upon it for stylistic reasons and potential confusion with the order of arguments compared to ternary operators in other languages.
Remember, readability is crucial, so use it wisely! If the condition leads to different actions, it’s often better to use a regular if statement.