Tutorial Playlist
132 Lessons1. Introduction to C Tutorial
2. Addition of Two Numbers in C
3. Anagram Program in C
4. Armstrong Number in C
5. Array in C
6. Array of Pointers in C
7. Array of Structure in C
8. C Program to Find ASCII Value of a Character
9. Assignment Operator in C
10. Binary Search in C
11. Binary to Decimal in C
12. Bitwise Operators in C
13. Boolean in C
14. C Compiler for Mac
15. C Compiler for Windows
16. C Function Call Stack
17. C Language Download
18. Operators in C
19. C/C++ Preprocessors
20. C Program for Bubble Sort
21. C Program for Factorial
22. C Program for Prime Numbers
23. C Program for String Palindrome
24. C Program to Reverse a Number
25. Reverse a String in C
26. C string declaration
27. String Input Output Functions in C
28. Calculator Program in C
29. Call by Value and Call by Reference in C
30. Ceil Function in C
31. Coding Vs. Programming
32. Command Line Arguments in C/C++
33. Comments in C
34. Compilation process in C
35. Conditional Statements in C
36. Conditional operator in the C
37. Constant Pointer in C
38. Constants in C
39. Dangling Pointer in C
40. Data Structures in C
41. Data Types in C
42. Debugging C Program
43. Convert Decimal to Binary in C
44. Define And include in C
45. Difference Between Arguments And Parameters
46. Difference Between Compiler and Interpreter
47. Difference Between If Else and Switch
48. Do While Loop In C
49. Double In C
50. Dynamic Array in C
51. Dynamic Memory Allocation in C
52. Enumeration (or enum) in C
53. Evaluation of Arithmetic Expression
54. Factorial of A Number in C
55. Features of C Language
56. Fibonacci Series Program in C Using Recursion
57. File Handling in C
58. For Loop in C
59. Format Specifiers in C
60. Functions in C
61. Function Pointer in C
62. goto statement in C
63. C Hello World Program
64. Header Files in C
65. Heap Sort in C Program
66. Hello World Program in C
67. History of C Language
68. How to compile a C program in Linux
69. How to Find a Leap Year Using C Programming
70. Identifiers in C
71. If Else Statement in C
72. If Statement in C
73. Implementation of Queue Using Linked List
74. Increment and decrement operators in c
75. Input and Output Functions in C
76. How To Install C Language In Mac
77. Jump Statements in C
78. Lcm of Two Numbers in C
79. Length of an Array in C
80. Library Function in C
81. Linked list in C
82. Logical Operators in C
83. Macros in C
84. Matrix multiplication in C
85. Nested if else statement in C
86. Nested Loop in C
87. One Dimensional Array in C
88. Operator Precedence and Associativity in C
89. Overflow And Underflow in C
90. Palindrome Program in C
91. Pattern Programs in C
92. Pointer to Pointer in C
93. Pointers in C: A Comprehensive Tutorial
94. Pre-increment And Post-increment
95. Prime Number Program in C
96. Program for Linear Search in C
97. Pseudo-Code In C
98. Random Access Files in C
99. Random Number Generator in C
100. Recursion in C
101. Relational Operators in C
102. Simple interest program in C
103. Square Root in C
104. Stack in C
105. Stack Using Linked List in C
106. Static function in C
107. Stdio.h in C
108. Storage Classes in C
109. strcat() in C
110. Strcmp in C
111. Strcpy in C
112. String Comparison in C
113. String Functions in C
114. String Length in C
115. String Pointer in C
116. strlen() in C
117. Structures in C
118. Structure of C Program
119. Switch Case in C
120. C Ternary Operator
Now Reading
121. Tokens in C
122. Toupper Function in C
123. Transpose of a Matrix in C
124. Two Dimensional Array in C
125. Type Casting in C
126. Types of Error in C
127. Unary Operator in C
128. Use of C Language
129. User Defined Functions in C
130. What is Variables in C
131. Is C language case sensitive
132. Fibonacci Series in C
In the world of programming, operators are essential tools that perform specific operations on one or more operands. Among various operators in C, the Ternary operator is an intriguing and efficient one. This article aims to provide a detailed understanding of the Ternary Operator in C, its working examples, comparison with if...else statements, and a few practice problems.
A Ternary Operator in C is a conditional operator that takes three arguments, hence the term 'ternary.' It provides a shorter way to code if-else statements and is extensively used to assign conditional values to variables. It is unique as it's the only operator in C that takes three operands.
The general syntax of the Ternary Operator in C is as follows:
condition ? value_if_true : value_if_false; |
Here, the operator first evaluates the 'condition.' If the 'condition' is true (non-zero), it returns 'value_if_true.' If the 'condition' is false (zero), it returns 'value_if_false.'
To understand the working of the ternary operator, let's use an example.
#include <stdio.h> |
In this example, we use the ternary operator to find the maximum between two numbers, 'a' and 'b'. The output is "Maximum value is: 20" as 'b' is greater than 'a'.
Here is a simple flow diagram illustrating the ternary operator's working:
Start |
This flowchart visualises the process the Ternary Operator in C undergoes while evaluating the condition and deciding the outcome based on the condition's truth value.
The Ternary Operator in C can be applied in a multitude of ways. Let's delve into some examples with various twists to highlight its versatility.
This Ternary Operator in C example showcases the simplicity and straightforwardness of the ternary operator in a basic comparison operation:
#include <stdio.h> |
In this code, 'max' will have the value of 'b' because 'a' is not greater than 'b'. Therefore, the condition is false.
The ternary operator can be nested. However, this can lead to code that is complicated to read:
#include <stdio.h> |
This example finds the maximum of three numbers using nested ternary operators.
The ternary operator can be used directly in function arguments to make your code more compact:
#include <stdio.h> |
In this example, the ternary operator is used to select the message to be printed based on the 'isEven' parameter.
The ternary operator can be used for efficient variable assignment:
#include <stdio.h> |
This code assigns a string pointer variable based on the condition. If the grade is greater than or equal to 50, it assigns "Pass"; otherwise, it assigns "Fail".
The ternary operator can also be used in conjunction with arrays:
#include <stdio.h> |
This code uses the ternary operator to perform a safe array lookup. If 'index' is within the array bounds, it returns the value at that index; otherwise, it returns -1.
The ternary operator and if-else statements in C are used for conditional operations. They evaluate certain conditions and execute different codes based on whether they are true or false.
While both have specific use cases, clear distinctions can influence which method to use for conditional logic. Let's first discuss these differences in detail and then follow up with a comparison table for a snapshot understanding.
A ternary operator is essentially a shorthand version of an if-else statement. It provides a way to make your code more compact, condensing the if-else statement into a single line of code. This operator can be especially useful when assigning values to variables based on a condition.
Here's a sample usage of the ternary operator:
#include <stdio.h> |
In this example, the ternary operator checks whether 'a' is greater than 'b'. If the condition is true, 'a' is assigned to 'max'. If the condition is false, 'b' is assigned to 'max'.
On the other hand, if-else statements are more flexible and can handle complex logic and multiple conditions better than the ternary operator. They're easier to read, especially when the code block within the if-else construct is large.
Here's how the same problem would be solved using an if-else statement:
#include <stdio.h> |
Criteria | Ternary Operator | if...else Statement |
Syntax | More complex, and takes time to get used to | Simple and straightforward |
Code Size | More compact, it can be written in a single line | More verbose, requires multiple lines |
Readability | Less readable when conditions get complex | More readable, especially with complex conditions |
Use-case | Best for simple conditions and quick assignments | Best for complex conditions and multi-step processes |
Nesting | Can be nested but reduces readability | Can be nested with ease and maintains readability |
While the Ternary Operator in C provides a concise alternative to the if-else statement, overuse or improper use of this operator can lead to some issues. Here are some of the main cons of using the Ternary Operator in C:
1. Readability Issues: The primary disadvantage of the ternary operator is that it can make the code difficult to read, especially for those unfamiliar with the operator. This is especially true when it comes to complex or nested ternary expressions. Overusing ternary operators can make your code seem cluttered and cryptic, making it harder for others (and sometimes even yourself) to understand your logic.
2. Debugging Difficulties: The ternary operator's conciseness can lead to debugging challenges. Identifying and resolving errors in a line of code with a ternary operator may be more difficult compared to a more explicit if-else statement.
3. Misuse of Ternary Operators: Ternary operators are not meant to replace every if-else statement in your code. They're best suited for simple, straightforward conditional logic. Using ternary operators for complex conditions or procedures can lead to complicated, hard-to-read code.
4. Limited Use Cases: Unlike if-else statements, the ternary operator is not suitable for conditions that need to execute blocks of code or multiple statements. It's designed for simple, single-statement conditions.
5. Negatively Affects Maintainability: Code maintainability is crucial to software development. A code that is easy to read and understand can be updated and fixed more easily. Overuse of ternary operators can reduce the maintainability of your code, making it harder for you or other developers to update or expand on your code in future.
Here are some of the problems that you can look at to get a better grasp of how C ternary operators work:
Problem 1: Write a C program that uses the ternary operator to determine if a year is a leap year or not.
Problem 2: Write a C program that uses the ternary operator to determine the quadrant in which a given coordinate point lies.
Problem 3: Write a C program that uses the ternary operator to determine the type of a triangle given the lengths of its sides (equilateral, isosceles, or scalene).
Problem 4: Write a C program that uses the ternary operator to check if a person is eligible to vote or not.
Problem 5: Write a C program that uses the ternary operator to calculate the grade of a student based on their average score. The grade should be calculated as follows:
The Ternary Operator in C is a powerful tool that simplifies code and improves efficiency by making it more compact. To effectively utilise the ternary operator, it is crucial to understand its syntax and working. While its conciseness can be advantageous, it's important to avoid overuse, as it can result in code that is challenging to understand and debug.
If you've found the Ternary Operator in C intriguing and wish to explore the vast world of programming further, consider upGrad's comprehensive DevOps Engineer Bootcamp to dive deep into programming, hone your skills, and emerge a coding wizard!
1. What is the ternary Operator in C symbol?
The Ternary Operator in C uses the '?' and ':' symbols. The general syntax is condition ? value_if_true : value_if_false.
2. How many ternary operator in C?
In C, there is only one ternary operator, which is the conditional operator (? :).
3. Can you provide an example of the ternary operator in C?
Yes, here is a simple example:
int a = 5, b = 10; |
In this code, max will have the value of b because a is not greater than b. Therefore, the condition is false.
4. Is it good practice to always use the ternary operator in C for conditional operations?
While the ternary operator can make your code more concise, using it excessively or for complex conditions can lead to code that's hard to read and debug. For more complex conditions, traditional if-else statements may be more suitable.
5. Can the ternary operator in C be nested?
Yes, the Ternary Operator in C can be nested. However, this can make the code complicated and difficult to read, and it's generally advisable to avoid it when possible.
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Director of Engineering
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upGrad does not grant credit; credits are granted, accepted or transferred at the sole discretion of the relevant educational institution offering the diploma or degree. We advise you to enquire further regarding the suitability of this program for your academic, professional requirements and job prospects before enr...