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PHP ternary operator Examples

Syntax
<condition> ? <value on true> : <value on false>

Examples

Set variable $query with HTTP GET parameter q or to 'default' if parameter is missing.
$query = isset($_GET['q'])?$_GET['q']:'default';
Multiple defaults: the first non-false value is returned
$result = $input1 ?: $input2 ?: $input3

Use Cases

Why would you want to use the ternary operator?
  • Non-disruptive editing of existing code
  • Shorter than an equivalent if condition (1 instead of 5 lines)
  • If you want to output the result of the condition in 1 output method invocation
  • To use a list of variables as defaults for a result