Python Short-Hand If-Else Exercises

Python provides many ways to make your code clean, concise, and more readable. One of the most powerful techniques is using the short-hand if-else statement, also known as the ternary conditional operator. In this article, we will dive into several Python short-hand if-else exercises with complete examples and explanations. This guide is designed for beginners and intermediate programmers who want to write more compact code while maintaining clarity.

What is Python Short-Hand If-Else?

The short-hand if-else allows you to write conditional statements in a single line. Instead of writing multiple lines of code, you can use the short-hand form to make decisions quickly.

The syntax is simple:

value_if_true if condition else value_if_false

It returns value_if_true when the condition is true, otherwise it returns value_if_false.

Why Use Short-Hand If-Else in Python?

• Cleaner code: Reduces the number of lines in your program.
• Better readability: Easier to follow logic when used properly.
• Efficient for inline operations: Perfect for variable assignments and simple decisions.

Python Short-Hand If-Else Exercises

Exercise 1: Check if a number is positive or negative

num = -5
result = "Positive" if num > 0 else "Negative"
print(result)

Output: Negative

Here, the condition num > 0 is checked. Since -5 is not greater than 0, it returns “Negative”.

Exercise 2: Determine if a number is even or odd

num = 12
result = "Even" if num % 2 == 0 else "Odd"
print(result)

Output: Even

Exercise 3: Find the maximum of two numbers

a, b = 10, 20
maximum = a if a > b else b
print("Maximum:", maximum)

Output: Maximum: 20

Exercise 4: Check eligibility to vote

age = 16
status = "Eligible" if age >= 18 else "Not Eligible"
print("Voting Status:", status)

Output: Voting Status: Not Eligible

Exercise 5: Assign grade based on score

score = 85
grade = "Pass" if score >= 50 else "Fail"
print("Result:", grade)

Output: Result: Pass

Exercise 6: Short-hand if without else

x = 10
if x > 5: print("x is greater than 5")

Output: x is greater than 5

Exercise 7: Multiple conditions with short-hand if-else

marks = 78
result = "Excellent" if marks > 80 else "Good" if marks > 60 else "Needs Improvement"
print("Performance:", result)

Output: Performance: Good

Exercise 8: Short-hand If-Else inside a function

def check_temperature(temp):
    return "Hot" if temp > 30 else "Cold"

print(check_temperature(35))
print(check_temperature(20))

Output:
Hot
Cold

Exercise 9: Using short-hand if-else in list comprehension

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
result = ["Even" if num % 2 == 0 else "Odd" for num in numbers]
print(result)

Output: [‘Odd’, ‘Even’, ‘Odd’, ‘Even’, ‘Odd’]

Exercise 10: Short-hand If-Else with strings

username = ""
greeting = f"Hello, {username}" if username else "Hello, Guest"
print(greeting)

Output: Hello, Guest

Table: Short-Hand If-Else vs Traditional If-Else

if num > 0:
    result = "Positive"
else:
    result = "Negative"

result = "Positive" if num > 0 else "Negative"

Best Practices for Using Short-Hand If-Else

• Use it only for simple conditions. For complex logic, stick with traditional if-else for better readability.
• Ensure that the condition is clear and unambiguous.
• Do not overuse it in deeply nested conditions.

Conclusion

The Python short-hand if-else is a simple yet powerful feature to make your code concise. By practicing the exercises above, you will become more comfortable using this syntax in real-world projects. Always balance between compact code and readability to write clean, maintainable Python programs.

For more details, check out the official Python Documentation.