1.2.272. Could Be Ternary

This control structure may be replaced by a ternary operator.

Th ternary operator may be shorter and easier to read than the full blown if-then-else structure. Depending on the situation, the null-ternary and the coalesce operator may also be a good alternative.

<?php

// original structure
if (empty($a)) {
    $b = 1;
} else {
    $b = foo();
}

// ternary version :
$b = empty($a) ? 1 : foo();

?>

See also PHP Shorthand If/Else Using Ternary Operators (?:) https://davidwalsh.name/php-shorthand-if-else-ternary-operators and Shorthand comparisons in PHP https://stitcher.io/blog/shorthand-comparisons-in-php.

1.2.272.1. Suggestions

• Update the syntax to use the ternary operator

1.2.272.2. Specs

Short name	Structures/CouldBeTernary
Rulesets	All, Suggestions
Exakat since	2.3.5
PHP Version	All
Severity	Minor
Time To Fix	Quick (30 mins)
Precision	High
Features	ternary, coalesce, null-ternary, short-assignation
Available in	Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud