If or return statment syntax of javascript

Question

What is the meaning of :

return i ? null : "red";

? What is the meaning of "?" and ":"

This question is exactly why we need Google to support symbol-only searches. — Polynomial
– Polynomial, Commented May 16, 2012 at 11:44
@DavidHedlund I'm aware of SymbolHound, but most people aren't. We could avoid a lot of questions here if Google would support it. — Polynomial
– Polynomial, Commented May 16, 2012 at 11:45
@Polynomial: true! Although a questions 'googleability' doesn't always correlate with its chances of ending up on SO anyway. — David Hedlund
– David Hedlund, Commented May 16, 2012 at 11:47

David Hedlund · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-16 11:41:58Z

9

That's a ternary operation.

Its syntax is:

condition ? operation-if-true : operation-if-false

For instance

return myVariable >5 ? 'a' : 'b';

return "a" if myVariable is greater than 5, otherwise "b".

answered May 16, 2012 at 11:41

David Hedlund

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