How to use '?' in java?

Question

I've seen this character being used several times in tutorials and other people's projects, so I would like to know what I would use it for? It's use with 'return' specifically

Ternary Operator... About a billion articles online about it. The google searches *java question mark operator* or just *java question mark* all turn up relevant results. Is there a reason you asked a question? — Luke Joshua Park, May 21 '16 at 04:24
I didn't see those questions when I typed in the title, so I didn't know those existed — diggity, May 21 '16 at 05:29

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered May 21 '16 at 04:25

I think you are asking about the ternary operator (or JLS-15.25 Conditional Operator ? :).

return (a < b) ? a : b;

is equivalent to

if (a < b) {
    return a;
} else {
    return b;
}

While you asked about return statements, it can also be used in assignments;

int t = (a < b) ? a : b;

is equivalent to

int t;
if (a < b) {
    t = a;
} else {
    t = b;
}

or int t = Math.min(a, b);

How to use '?' in java?

1 Answers1