---
title: "3.20 Conditional Operator (?:)"
description: "The conditional operator (`?:`), also known as the ternary operator, evaluates a condition and returns one of two expressions depending on whether the condition is `true` or `false`. It provides a compact alternative to a simple `if-else` statement. The conditional…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/cpp-programming/operators-cplusplus/3-20-conditional-operator/"
updated: "2026-07-28"
category: C++ Programming / Operators
---

# 3.20 Conditional Operator (?:)

The conditional operator (`?:`), also known as the ternary operator, evaluates a condition and returns one of two expressions depending on whether the condition is `true` or `false`. It provides a compact alternative to a simple `if-else` statement.

The conditional operator consists of three operands: a condition, an expression evaluated when the condition is `true`, and another expression evaluated when the condition is `false`.

## Source Code

```
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    int num1 = 25;
    int num2 = 40;

    int maximum = (num1 > num2) ? num1 : num2;

    std::cout << "First Number : " << num1 << '\n';
    std::cout << "Second Number: " << num2 << '\n';
    std::cout << "Maximum      : " << maximum << '\n';

    return 0;
}
```

## Output

```
First Number : 25
Second Number: 40
Maximum      : 40
```

## Explanation

- The conditional operator (`?:`) evaluates a Boolean condition.
- The syntax of the operator is `condition ? expression1 : expression2`.
- If the condition evaluates to `true`, the first expression is evaluated and its value becomes the result.
- If the condition evaluates to `false`, the second expression is evaluated and its value becomes the result.
- `(num1 > num2) ? num1 : num2` returns the larger of the two numbers.
- The returned value is assigned to the variable `maximum`.
- The conditional operator is commonly used for simple decision-making expressions where a full `if-else` statement is unnecessary.
- `return 0;` terminates the program successfully.