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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Lists Shopping List Take Three

Posted by thieny
thieny
5,403 Points

How does this "if" syntax works?

When Kenneth used the os library, he wrote:

"cls" if os.name == "nt" else "clear"

I've never seen this syntax for an if statement. I would expect the if keyword to be the very first thing, as usual. Anybody got any info about this?

Thank you,

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

This isn't actually an "if" statement, though it does have the term "if" in it.

This is a "conditional expression". If you are familiar with other languages, you may have run into something called a "ternary". This is the Python equivalent.

For more info see the Python Documentation.

thieny
thieny
5,403 Points

Oh, I see. Thank you!