• dev_null@lemmy.ml
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          4 days ago

          Because it’s not one. Ternary operator is A ? B : C, Elvis operator is A ?: B. The same two characters are involved, but both the syntax and effect is different.

        • dev_null@lemmy.ml
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          4 days ago

          It’s a shorthand for writing this:

          variable = if (input != null) input else default
          

          This is equivalent:

          variable = input ?: default
          

          The answers confusing it with the ternary operator are wrong.

          • The Cuuuuube@beehaw.org
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            6 days ago

            gotacha. i’ve only ever heard them called ternaries. maybe i’m old. maybe i’m too young. definitely one of the two

            • QuazarOmega@lemy.lol
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              6 days ago

              It specifically refers to this shorthand ?: that works like this:

              $value = $thing_that_could_be_truthy ?: 'fallback value';
              
              # same as
              
              $value = $thing_that_could_be_truthy ? $thing_that_could_be_truthy : 'fallback value';
              

              The condition is also the value if it is truthy