X and Y or Z - ternary operator

Question

In Java or C we have <condition> ? X : Y, which translates into Python as X if <condition> else Y.

But there's also this little trick: <condition> and X or Y.

While I understand that it's equivalent to the aforementioned ternary operators, I find it difficult to grasp how and and or operators are able to produce correct result. What's the logic behind this?

Answer 1

While I understand that it's equivalent to the aforementioned ternary operators

This is incorrect:

In [32]: True and 0 or 1
Out[32]: 1

In [33]: True and 2 or 1
Out[33]: 2

Why the first expression returns 1 (i.e. Y), while the condition is True and the "expected" answer is 0 (i.e. X)?

According to the docs:

The expression x and y first evaluates x; if x is false, its value is returned; otherwise, y is evaluated and the resulting value is returned.

The expression x or y first evaluates x; if x is true, its value is returned; otherwise, y is evaluated and the resulting value is returned.

So, True and 0 or 1 evaluates the first argument of the and operator, which is True. Then it returns the second argument, which is 0.

Since the True and 0 returns false value, the or operator returns the second argument (i.e. 1)