JS, what syntax is this? "var3 = (var1 > var2) ? var1 : var2"

Question

I found a script using the following syntax:

var variable3 = (Math.abs(variable1)>Math.abs(variable2)) ? variable1 : variable2;

As far, as I get it, that seems to compare if variable1 is bigger than variable2. Then output, if yes, variable1, otherwise variable2?

I couldn't find any description and this seems to be something handy, could someone explain it?

THX!

Answer 1

This is called the conditional operator (and is the only ternary operator in JavaScript).

It this case it is equivalent to

if((Math.abs(variable1)>Math.abs(variable2)))
{
   variable3= variable1;
}
else
{
   variable3 = variable2;
}

Answer 2

Its called the "Ternary Operator" Its another way to do a simple in-line if statement and return the value to a variable from it.

See Wikipedia for more info

Answer 3

it's similar to

if(Math.abs(variable1)>Math.abs(variable2))
    var variable3 =  variable1;
else
    var variable3 =  variable2; 

Answer 4

This is actually a ternary conditional operator (also called a ? mark operator). This is used instead of if statement, but it is as flexible as if statement.