In looking at my Google Analytics statistics, I see a lot of visitors searching for PHP shorthand if/else (ternary) information. I’ve gone through my code library and picked out some examples of ternary operator usage.
Basic True / False Declaration
$is_admin = ($user['permissions'] == 'admin' ? true : false);
Conditional Welcome Message
echo 'Welcome '.($user['is_logged_in'] ? $user['first_name'] : 'Guest').'!';
Conditional Items Message
echo 'Your cart contains '.$num_items.' item'.($num_items != 1 ? 's' : '').'.';
Conditional Error Reporting Level
error_reporting($WEBSITE_IS_LIVE ? 0 : E_STRICT);
Conditional Basepath
echo '<base href="http'.($PAGE_IS_SECURE ? 's' : '').'://mydomain.com" />';
Nested PHP Shorthand
echo 'Your score is: '.($score > 10 ? ($age > 10 ? 'Average' : 'Exceptional') : ($age > 10 ? 'Horrible' : 'Average') );
Leap Year Check
$is_leap_year = ((($year % 4) == 0) && ((($year % 100) != 0) || (($year %400) == 0)));
Conditional PHP Redirect
header('Location: '.($valid_login ? '/members/index.php' : 'login.php?errors=1')); exit();