What is the use of a ? character?

Short Answer
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Answer:

In the C programming language, the question mark (?) is used as part of the ternary conditional operator, also known as the ternary operator or the conditional operator. The syntax of the ternary operator is:

<span class="pln">
condition </span><span class="pun">?</span><span class="pln"> expression_if_true </span><span class="pun">:</span><span class="pln"> expression_if_false</span><span class="pun">;</span>

Here's how it works:

  • The condition is evaluated.
  • If the condition is true, the entire expression evaluates to expression_if_true.
  • If the condition is false, the entire expression evaluates to expression_if_false.

Here's a simple example:

<span class="pln">
</span><span class="kwd">int</span><span class="pln"> x </span><span class="pun">=</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="lit">10</span><span class="pun">;</span><span class="pln">
</span><span class="kwd">int</span><span class="pln"> y </span><span class="pun">=</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="lit">20</span><span class="pun">;</span><span class="pln">

</span><span class="kwd">int</span><span class="pln"> max </span><span class="pun">=</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">(</span><span class="pln">x </span><span class="pun">&gt;</span><span class="pln"> y</span><span class="pun">)</span><span class="pln"> </span><span class="pun">?</span><span class="pln"> x </span><span class="pun">:</span><span class="pln"> y</span><span class="pun">;</span><span class="pln">
</span>

In this example, if x is greater than y, then the value of max will be x; otherwise, it will be y. The ternary operator provides a concise way to express a conditional assignment.

It's important to note that while the ternary operator can make code more compact, using it excessively or in complex expressions can reduce code readability. It's recommended to use it judiciously for simple conditional assignments to maintain code clarity.

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