If-else statement vs ternary operator

Question

What is the difference between using an if-else statement or the ternary operator?
They both say that if a is true then execute b if not execute c.
Are there different use cases?
To me it seems that if I just need to write a simple if-else statement, the ternary operator is much shorter to write.
Other than length is there a difference?

Answer 1

The ternary operator can't be used to call a void function or a list of statements. It must be used to assign/return a value.

Answer 2

@John It's not the case for C though it's a little bit weird to use conditional without assignment. 😉

Answer 3

Nope, no difference in your simple case. Only readability and expansion perspectives. Use ternary for 'one-line' operations, for example in return statement logic.