C program to find maximum between two numbers using conditional operator

Understanding the Problem

• The goal is to write a C program that effectively determines the larger of two given numbers.
• We’ll focus on using the conditional operator, also known as the ternary operator, to achieve this task in a concise and efficient manner.

Steps and Code

1. Include the necessary header file:

C

#include <stdio.h>

2. Declare variables to store the numbers and the maximum value:

C

int num1, num2, max;

3. Prompt the user to enter the two numbers:

C

printf("Enter two numbers: ");
scanf("%d %d", &num1, &num2);

4. Apply the conditional operator to find the maximum value:

C

max = (num1 > num2) ? num1 : num2;

• Explanation:
  • The conditional operator has three operands:
    • The condition to be checked (num1 > num2 in this case)
    • The value to be assigned if the condition is true (num1)
    • The value to be assigned if the condition is false (num2)
  • It’s a shorthand way of writing an if-else statement.

5. Print the result:

C

printf("The maximum number is: %d", max);

Key Points

• The conditional operator offers a compact and readable way to write conditional expressions.
• It’s particularly useful for simple comparisons like finding the maximum or minimum value.
• It can enhance code clarity when used appropriately.
• It’s essential to ensure proper understanding of its syntax and behavior to avoid potential errors.