Ternary Operator Example in Java

Introduction

Ternary Operator is a classic Java console program that demonstrates the concept with complete source code and sample output. Operators combine values, compare results and update variables — core skills for every Java program.

This tutorial walks through the program line by line, explains how the logic works, and highlights best practices you can apply in your own code.

Definition

Operators in Java are similar to those in C++. However, there is no delete operator due to garbage collection mechanisms in Java, and there are no operations on pointers since Java does not support them. At its most basic, the ternary operator (also known as the conditional operator) can be used as an alternative to the Java if/then/else syntax, but it goes beyond that, and can even be used on the right hand side of Java statements.

Syntax

result = testCondition ? value1 : value2

Ternary Operator Example Program

public class TernaryOperator {
	public static void main(String args[]){
		int num1 , num2;
		num1 = 10;
		num2 = (num1 == 1) ? 20: 30;
		System.out.println( "Value of num2 is : " +  num2 );
		num2 = (num1 == 10) ? 20: 30;
		System.out.println( "Value of num2 is : " + num2 );
	}
}

Sample Output

Value of num2 is : 30
Value of num2 is : 20

When to use

Use this ternary operator example when learning or revising core Java syntax.

How it works

1. Execution begins in the main method — the JVM calls this method when you run the class.

2. num1 = 10; updates a variable used in the calculation or output.

3. A println / print call writes text to the console — part of the sample output below.

4. A println / print call writes text to the console — part of the sample output below.

5. Compare your console output with the sample output for Ternary Operator to confirm the program behaves correctly.

Best Practices

Common Mistakes