(gawk.info.gz) Conditional Exp

 
 Conditional Expressions
 =======================
 
    A "conditional expression" is a special kind of expression that has
 three operands.  It allows you to use one expression's value to select
 one of two other expressions.  The conditional expression is the same
 as in the C language, as shown here:
 
      SELECTOR ? IF-TRUE-EXP : IF-FALSE-EXP
 
 There are three subexpressions.  The first, SELECTOR, is always
 computed first.  If it is "true" (not zero or not null), then
 IF-TRUE-EXP is computed next and its value becomes the value of the
 whole expression.  Otherwise, IF-FALSE-EXP is computed next and its
 value becomes the value of the whole expression.  For example, the
 following expression produces the absolute value of `x':
 
      x >= 0 ? x : -x
 
    Each time the conditional expression is computed, only one of
 IF-TRUE-EXP and IF-FALSE-EXP is used; the other is ignored.  This is
 important when the expressions have side effects.  For example, this
 conditional expression examines element `i' of either array `a' or
 array `b', and increments `i':
 
      x == y ? a[i++] : b[i++]
 
 This is guaranteed to increment `i' exactly once, because each time
 only one of the two increment expressions is executed and the other is
 not.   Arrays in `awk' Arrays, for more information about arrays.
 
    As a minor `gawk' extension, a statement that uses `?:' can be
 continued simply by putting a newline after either character.  However,
 putting a newline in front of either character does not work without
DONTPRINTYET  using backslash continuation ( `awk' Statements Versus Lines
 Statements/Lines.).  If `--posix' is specified (*note Command-Line
DONTPRINTYET  using backslash continuation ( `awk' Statements Versus Lines
 Statements/Lines.).  If `--posix' is specified ( Command-Line

 Options Options.), then this extension is disabled.
Info Catalog
(gawk.info.gz) Boolean Ops
(gawk.info.gz) Expressions
(gawk.info.gz) Function Calls
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