Programming Fundamentals/If Then Else

Overview
The if–then–else construct, sometimes called if-then, is a two-way selection structure common across many programming languages. Although the syntax varies from language to language, the basic structure looks like: If (boolean condition) Then (consequent) Else (alternative) End If

Discussion
The "if then else' control structure, from the selection category, is available in every high level language. The structure is controlled by asking a question that has a true or false answer. Review the example below: if the answer to the question is true    then do this else because it is false     do this In most languages, the question (called a test expression) is a Boolean expression. The Boolean data type has two values – true and false. Let’s rewrite the structure to consider this: if expression is true     then do this else because it is false     do this Some languages use reserved words of: “if”, “then” and “else”. Many eliminate the “then”. Additionally the “do this” can be tied to true and false. You might see it as: if expression is true     action true else     action false And most languages infer the “is true” you might see it as: if expression     action true else     action false The above four forms of the control structure are saying the same thing. The else word is often not used in our English speaking today. However, consider the following conversation between a mother and her child.

Child asks, “Mommy, may I go outside and play?”

Mother answers, “If your room is clean then you may go outside and play or else you may go sit on a chair for five minutes as punishment for asking me the question when you knew your room was dirty.”

Let’s note that all of the elements are present to determine the action (or flow) that the child will be doing. Because the question (your room is clean) has only two possible answers (true or false) the actions are mutually exclusive. Either the child 1) goes outside and plays or 2) sits on a chair for five minutes. One of the actions is executed; never both of the actions.

One Choice – Implied Two-Way Selection
Often the programmer will want to do something only if the expression is true, that is with no false action. The lack of a false action is also referred to as a “null else” and would be written as: if expression action true else do nothing Because the “else do nothing” is implied, it is usually written in short form like: if expression action true

Key Terms

 * if then else
 * A two-way selection control structure.


 * mutually exclusive
 * Items that do not overlap. Example: true or false.