# Conditional (ternary) operator

The [conditional operator](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/Conditional_operator) is the only JavaScript operator that takes three operands. The operator can have one of two values based on a condition. The syntax is:

JSCopy to Clipboard

```javascript
condition ? val1 : val2
```

If `condition` is true, the operator has the value of `val1`. Otherwise it has the value of `val2`. You can use the conditional operator anywhere you would use a standard operator.

For example,

JSCopy to Clipboard

```javascript
const status = age >= 18 ? "adult" : "minor";
```

This statement assigns the value "adult" to the variable `status` if `age` is eighteen or more. Otherwise, it assigns the value "minor" to `status`.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://edrus.gitbook.io/mt-it/2nd-month/week-5/javascript/expressions-and-operators/conditional-ternary-operator.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.