DEV Community

Discussion on: Why I'm phasing out ternary statements

Collapse
 
scrabill profile image
Shannon Crabill

Ternary operators were amazing when I first learned about them.

I agree that there is a time and place for them. For a simple concept (someone mentioned assigning values or triggering a this or that scenario) they are great. But, beyond a short line of code, they do get messy and hard to read, even if its less code.

Is it really better code if is take my slow, human brain more time to figure it out before I can make changes?

Collapse
 
mcgurkadam profile image
Adam McGurk

I totally think that no, if my brain has to think too much to make a change, I did something wrong!!

And that’s what I’ve been running into a lot lately, decisions I’ve made to have less lines, or to do something faster, I’m definitely regretting

Collapse
 
scrabill profile image
Shannon Crabill

Too much thinking is also why I avoid using while loops. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Thread Thread
 
mcgurkadam profile image
Adam McGurk • Edited

Yes!!!

I think I’ve only written like 5 while loops in my whole career!!

Thanks so much for reading!!

Thread Thread
 
scrabill profile image
Shannon Crabill

I've yet to use one outside of practice assignments that say to use a while loop.

if/else or for loops for the win. I'll use a simple ternary, as a treat.

Thread Thread
 
mcgurkadam profile image
Adam McGurk

Foreach is what I always try and reach for (no pun intended)😆😆