Ternary conditional operator in Swift - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of a simple ternary expression

What is the output of this Swift code?

Swift

let a = 10
let b = 20
let result = a > b ? "a is greater" : "b is greater"
print(result)

A a is greater

B b is greater

C true

D false

💡 Hint

Compare the values of a and b carefully.

Since 10 is not greater than 20, the condition is false, so the else part "b is greater" is chosen.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Ternary operator with numeric result

What will be printed by this Swift code?

Swift

let x = 5
let y = 8
let max = x > y ? x : y
print(max)

A 8

B false

C true

D 5

💡 Hint

Check which number is bigger.

Since 5 is not greater than 8, the else part y (8) is assigned to max.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Nested ternary conditional output

What is the output of this Swift code?

Swift

let score = 75
let grade = score >= 90 ? "A" : score >= 80 ? "B" : score >= 70 ? "C" : "F"
print(grade)

A A

B B

C F

D C

💡 Hint

Evaluate conditions from left to right.

75 is not >= 90 or 80, but it is >= 70, so grade is "C".

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Ternary operator with Boolean result

What does this Swift code print?

Swift

let isSunny = false
let activity = isSunny ? "Go outside" : "Stay inside"
print(activity)

A Stay inside

B Go outside

C true

D false

💡 Hint

Check the Boolean value of isSunny.

Since isSunny is false, the else part "Stay inside" is chosen.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Complex ternary with side effects

What is the output of this Swift code?

Swift

var count = 0
let result = count == 0 ? "Zero" : { count += 1; return "Not zero" }()
print(result)
print(count)

A Compilation error

B Not zero and then 1

C Zero and then 0

D Zero and then 1

💡 Hint

Notice when the closure is executed.

Since count == 0 is true, the first string "Zero" is assigned and the closure is not executed, so count stays 0.