A Ternary Operator in Python is a one-line conditional expression that allows you to assign a value based on a condition — similar to the if-else statement but in a compact form.

It is often used to make code shorter and more readable for simple conditional assignments.

🔹 Syntax:

value_if_true if condition else value_if_false

value_if_true if condition else value_if_false

• If the condition is True, the expression returns value_if_true.
• Otherwise, it returns value_if_false.

🧩 Example 1: Basic Usage

a = 10
b = 20

max_num = a if a > b else b
print("Maximum:", max_num)

a = 10
b = 20

max_num = a if a > b else b
print("Maximum:", max_num)

Output:

Maximum: 20

Maximum: 20

🧩 Example 2: Checking Even or Odd

num = 7
result = "Even" if num % 2 == 0 else "Odd"
print(result)

num = 7
result = "Even" if num % 2 == 0 else "Odd"
print(result)

Output:

Odd

Odd

🧩 Example 3: Nested Ternary Operator

a = 5
b = 10
c = 3

largest = a if (a > b and a > c) else (b if b > c else c)
print("Largest number:", largest)

a = 5
b = 10
c = 3

largest = a if (a > b and a > c) else (b if b > c else c)
print("Largest number:", largest)

Output:

Largest number: 10

Largest number: 10

🧩 Example 4: Inline Conditional Printing

age = 18
print("Eligible" if age >= 18 else "Not Eligible")

age = 18
print("Eligible" if age >= 18 else "Not Eligible")

Output:

Eligible

Eligible

🧩 Example 5: Using Ternary Operator with Functions

def check_temperature(temp):
    return "Hot" if temp > 30 else "Cold"

print(check_temperature(35))
print(check_temperature(20))

def check_temperature(temp):
    return "Hot" if temp > 30 else "Cold"

print(check_temperature(35))
print(check_temperature(20))

Output:

Hot
Cold

Hot
Cold

🔹 In Summary

• The ternary operator provides a shorter alternative to traditional if-else statements.
• Syntax: value_if_true if condition else value_if_false
• Best used for simple conditional assignments to keep code concise and readable.