Python Ternary Operator: Simplifying Conditional Statements

The Python ternary operator provides a concise and efficient way to define conditionals in your code. Instead of writing lengthy if-else statements, you can use the ternary operator to streamline the process.

Imagine you have a function that compares the value of an age variable to the number 18, and you want the function to return True if the age is greater than 18, and False otherwise. Traditionally, you would write the following code:

def is_adult(age):
    if age > 18:
        return True
    else:
        return False

However, with the ternary operator, you can achieve the same results with less code:

def is_adult(age):
    return True if age > 18 else False

The ternary operator follows a simple syntax: <result_if_true> if <condition> else <result_if_false>. This means you first define the result if the condition is True, evaluate the condition, and then define the result if the condition is False.

By using the Python ternary operator, you can make your code more concise and easier to read. It simplifies conditional statements and improves the efficiency of your code.