[prog] wierd C++ operator

[ed orphan]

I've never seen this C++ operator...    <?
before. It works with GNU C++, but is it portable?
Is this operator included in any standard like
ANSI or POSIX ?
As I understand it, it's used to set a minimum
amount by choosing the greater of two possiblities:
  result = 1000 <? whatever;
Which ever value is the greater of the two will be
assigned to result, so the lowest result can
ever be is 1000.
   If its not portable, I don't think I'll use it.