"Do nothing" using ternary operator [duplicate]

Question

I want to use the ternary operator like this - checking only the true part of the statement:

foo() ? bar() : /* Do nothing */;

Is it possible to exclude the logic of the "else" part of this statement? I tried using return; but the compiler gives the error. Basically all I want to achieve is a statement using ternary operator which would look like this:

foo() ? bar();

Is this achievable?

Bloodstock

Why would you not just use if? (No, it's not possible) – Anyplace

I am just curious if that's even possible. That is all. – Bloodstock

That doesn't actually make any sense. Expressions must have a value. – Ezzo

I believe this is actually a desire to have a shorthand for simple if statements, keeping code compact (single line even with IDE formatters, no brackets). Closest semi-valid option is partial short-circuiting with foo() && bar(), since bar() only executes when foo() is true. – Midvictorian

Answer 1

The ternary operator is usually used to immediately assign a value.

String a = bar() ? foo() : null;

For your usecase, you can simply use an if construct:

if (foo())
    bar();

Appraisal

Not wrapping the if clause body in braces goes against the good code formatting practices, so this usually becomes if (foo()) { bar(); } (three lines) – Upstanding

@IvanMatavulj: that's a matter of taste, and most definitely not a generally accepted best practice. I personally feel brackets are redundant in this case and don't add to readability. I agree with this passionate answer on this topic: programmers.stackexchange.com/a/16550 – Appraisal

I got an error using null I'd rather use void(0) – Brocade

Answer 2

If it would work like that we wouldn't call it ternary anymore. I think the only way is that do something which does nothing. for example call a method which has empty body, or if you assign a value from this operation to a variable just assign a default value.

Maidel