Is it true or false? This test is used very often while coding. The form for testing true/false may not be straightforward. Sometimes it is a result of function, a variable, or a combination of those. But the rule is simple.

Try the following examples and see what makes it true or false.

Live Examples

(true? true)
(false? false)
(true? 2)
(true? (= 2 4/2))
(false? (= 2 2 3))
(not (true? (= 3 4)))
  • Advice to coaches

    The examples above test whether values are true or false. In contrast, examples below are truthy or falsey.

    Since this is a pretty easy lab, it may be a good time to explain (doc false?) or the usage of functions of functions, like (not (true? (= 3 4))).

Live Examples


(if true :it-is-truthy :it-isn't-truthy)

(if 2 :it-is-truthy :it-isn't-truthy)

(if false :it-isn't-falsey :it-is-falsey)

(if nil :it-isn't-falsey :it-is-falsey)

(if-not true :it-isn't-truthy :it-is-truthy)

(if-not false :it-is-falsey :it-isn't-falsey)

(if-not (= 3/2 9/6) :it-isn't-truthy :it-is-truthy)
  • Advice to coaches

    Pleaae explain the rule of truthy and falsey. Only false and nil are falsey. All others are truthy. If possible, let attendees create their own if/if-not examples.

    For attendees who have programming backgrounds, it may be interesting to talk about the result of (if (Boolean. "false") :truthy :falsey).