IF/ELSE statement inside PHP variable string

Question

What is the correct way to use an IF/ELSE statement inside of a variable string?

Example:

$htmlOutput = 'The current color of the sky is ' . 
if ($time==="day") { . 'blue.' . } 
else if ($time==="night") { . 'black' . };

Obviously that example does not work, but you see what I'm trying to do. I know I could just continue the variable inside of the if statement like:

$htmlOutput .= '';

but I'm curious if there's a way to do it as stated above.

Avoid temptations to do anything more complex than a single if x then y else z in a ternary operation though. They can be nested but it quickly becomes very unreadable. (if x then (if a then b else c) else z) — Michael Berkowski
– Michael Berkowski, Commented Nov 7, 2014 at 19:10

Bruno Calza · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-07 19:07:42Z

7

You could use a ternary operator like this

$htmlOutput = 'The current color of the sky is ' . ($time == 'day' ? 'blue' : 'black');

answered Nov 7, 2014 at 19:07

Bruno Calza

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1 Comment

Rich701 Over a year ago

That's perfect, thanks! And thanks to all who answered so fast.

A.B · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-07 19:14:22Z

2

use ternary operator instead of if else

 $htmlOutput = 'The current color of the sky is ' . ($time==="day") ?'blue':($time==="night")?'black':'';

or more simpler is to

   $htmlOutput = 'The current color of the sky is ' . ($time==="day") ?'blue':'black';

edited Nov 7, 2014 at 19:14

answered Nov 7, 2014 at 19:08

A.B

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3 Comments

showdev Over a year ago

The first one looks funky. It's either got an extra ? or a missing :.

A.B Over a year ago

it is used for else if , multiple operational statement

showdev Over a year ago

Yes, but it is not valid syntax. Second one looks good though.

Rizier123 · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-07 19:08:44Z

1

This should work for you:

<?php


    $time = "night";

    $htmlOutput = 'The current color of the sky is ' . ($time === 'day' ? 'blue' : 'black');

    echo $htmlOutput;


?>

answered Nov 7, 2014 at 19:08

Rizier123

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