if/else shorthand to define a variable

Question

I have troubles understanding how the php shorthands for if/else described here works.

<?=(expression) ? $foo : $bar?>

The expression I'm trying to shorten is the following :

if (isset($result[1][0])) {
    $var = $result[1][0];
} else {
    $var = "";
}

Can somebody explain me how I can apply the shorthand if/else statement in my situation ?

Thank you !

Saumya Rastogi · Accepted Answer · 2016-12-12T16:06:21.230

11

You can use ternary operator like this:

$var = (isset($result[1][0])) ? $result[1][0] : "";

See more about Ternary Operator

In case of PHP 7, you can do it like this:

$var = $result[1][0] ?? ''

Hope this helps!

edited Dec 12 '16 at 16:06

answered Dec 12 '16 at 16:01

Saumya Rastogi

1

Maybe add a closing parenthesis ? – Dilettant Dec 12 '16 at 16:02
3

PHP 7 can even make it shorter: $var = $result[1][0] ?? ""; – colburton Dec 12 '16 at 16:02
Thank you for all theses quick answers, I wasn't even close... Unfortunately I'm not running PHP 7 at the moment so I'll go with this :) Thanks ! – QiMath Dec 12 '16 at 16:06
The parentheses around the `isset` expression aren't really necessary. It doesn't hurt to have them, but you don't need them. – Don't Panic Dec 12 '16 at 16:08
@Don'tPanic - Yes the parenthesis isn't necessary but the code seems clean and understandable by using that parenthesis. So I prefer to use that parenthesis! – Saumya Rastogi Dec 12 '16 at 16:10
I understand. I didn't intend to be critical. Just thought it was worth mentioning. – Don't Panic Dec 12 '16 at 16:12

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 12 '16 at 16:02

1

It's simple. Think of it as:

Condition ? Executes if condition is true : otherwise

In your case:

$var = isset($result[1][0]) ? $result[1][0] : "";

condition: isset($result[1][0])

if true: return $result[1][0]

else: return ""

answered Dec 12 '16 at 16:02

deChristo

2 Answers2