r/JavaScriptTips • • Apr 28 '23

What is JavaScript shorthand if?

JS shorthand if is a condensed way of writing an if-else statement in JavaScript. It’s a useful technique that can help you write more efficient and readable code.

The shorthand if is also known as the ternary operator, and it looks like this:

condition ? valueIfTrue : valueIfFalse

The condition is evaluated first. If the condition is true, then the value of valueIfTrue is returned. Otherwise, the value of valueIfFalse is returned.

Here’s an example:

const age = 25;
const allowed = age >= 18 ? "Yes" : "No";
console.log(allowed); // Output: "Yes"

In this example, the age variable is assigned a value of 25. Then, the allowed variable is assigned the result of the ternary operator. The condition is age >= 18, which evaluates to true. Therefore, the value of valueIfTrue is "Yes".

Using the shorthand if can help you write more concise code. It’s especially useful when you need to assign a value to a variable based on a condition. Instead of writing an if-else statement, you can use the shorthand if to achieve the same result with less code.

However, it’s important to use the shorthand if judiciously. If the condition and the values are complex, it can make the code harder to read and understand. In those cases, it’s better to use a regular if-else statement.

In conclusion, the JS shorthand if is a powerful tool in your JavaScript toolkit. It’s a simple and elegant way of writing conditional statements, and it can help you write cleaner and more efficient code. Just make sure to use it appropriately and in moderation.

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u/xRVAx Apr 28 '23

I believe they call this the ternary operator