unnecessaryTernaries

Reports ternary expressions that can be simplified to boolean expressions or logical operators

✅ This rule is included in the ts stylistic and stylisticStrict presets.

Ternary expressions can sometimes be simplified to more concise and readable forms. In particular:

1. Boolean ternaries: ternary expressions that return true or false based on a condition can be simplified to the condition itself or its negation.
2. Redundant ternaries: ternary expressions where the consequent duplicates the condition can be replaced with a logical OR operator (||).

This rule detects and reports ternary expressions that can be replaced with boolean expressions or logical operators.

Examples

❌ Incorrect

const isActive = status === "active" ? true : false;

const isInactive = status === "active" ? false : true;

const result = value ? value : defaultValue;

const result = !value ? alternative : value;

✅ Correct

const isActive = status === "active";

const isInactive = !(status === "active");

const result = value || defaultValue;

const result = value || alternative;

Options

This rule is not configurable.

When Not To Use It

If you have a large codebase with established patterns using ternary expressions for clarity, or if your team prefers explicit ternary expressions over logical operators, this rule might not be for you.

Further Reading

• MDN: Conditional (ternary) operator
• MDN: Logical OR (||)
• MDN: Logical NOT (!)

Equivalents in Other Linters

• Biome: noUselessTernary
• ESLint: unicorn/prefer-logical-operator-over-ternaryno-unneeded-ternary
• Oxlint: eslint/no-unneeded-ternaryunicorn/prefer-logical-operator-over-ternary