How to write following code with Conditional(Ternary) Operator?

Question

I am just playing with my code. The code in if else block can be written with conditional operator (? :). how to write following code with Conditional Operator.

  import com.itextpdf.text.Document;

public class TEst {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Document doc=null;
        try{
         doc=new Document();
        //some operation.
        }catch(Exception e){

        }finally{
            doc!=null? doc.close():"";

            //if(doc!=null){
            //  doc.close();
            //}
        }
    }

Eclipse suggestion :

Multiple markers at this line

• Type mismatch: cannot convert from null to boolean

• Syntax error on token "!=", invalid AssignmentOperator

Answer 1

You could use the ternary operator here (using a dummy boolean and not using it again):

boolean dummy = doc != null ? doc.close() : false;

But i would highly recommend not using this kind of code. If you think a "1-liner" might be readable here consider doing something like:

if (doc!=null) doc.close();

EDIT:

Explanation why not to use this kind of code:

You would create a boolean which is never used again without gaining anything.

• The ternary operator is not faster than an if condition
• The code becomes unreadable in this case
• the boolean dummy still contains a boolean value if doc was null

Answer 2

No. Ternary operator can't be used this way.

//if(doc!=null){
    //  doc.close();
    //}

If you closely look the code commented, there is no else part at all. You just have only if and ternary operator needs an else for sure. Hence not possible.