Question: > 
> **Possible Duplicate:**  
> 
> [Is the ternary operator evil?](https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/28314/is-the-ternary-operator-evil) 
> 
> 
> 

Does using shorthand if else statments hurt readability?

Compare:

```
string name = street != null ? street.Owner : "Not known";

```

With:

```
string name;

if(street != null)
{
    name =  street.Owner;
}
else
{
    name = "Not known";
}

```

I have become familiar enough with the shorthand that its just as readable for short statements as the long version. Is that true for most developers or should I favor the more verbose version

Answer: 
It took me about five minutes to get used to the short form (a "ternary operator"). 

The ternary operator is much better for this particular example, because it's just a validation transformation, if you will. As part of a validation process, there can be many of these, and using ordinary if/thens can quickly become unwieldy.
Like most of the shorthand, it can be good for readability if use correctly.

If you start to merge long condition with other ternary operator, you will start having trouble.

If you hesitate, I suggest to do a code review about it. If everyone in your team prefer the shorthand version, go with it.

Readability is subjective