If-Else Program in Java | About, Syntax, Flowchart and Examples
Have you ever wondered how programs make decisions and adapt to different situations? The answer lies in the power of if-else statements. These statements allow us to control the flow of our code based on specific conditions, enabling us to write flexible and responsive programs.
The if-else statement in Java is a fundamental control flow structure that allows for the conditional execution of code. It tests a condition: if the condition is true, one block of code is executed, and if the condition is false, another block (or none at all) is executed.
Let us see the working of the if-else statement starting with syntax, flowchart, explanation and then a very basic example.
Must read Conditional Statements in Java
Syntax of if-else statement
if (condition)
{
// statements to execute if condition is true
}
else
{
// statements to execute if condition is false
}
Flowchart of if-else statement
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Explanation of How if-else Works
- The if-else statement begins with the keyword "if".
- Following the "if" keyword is a condition enclosed in parentheses.
- The condition is a Boolean expression, which means it can only evaluate to either true or false.
- If the condition evaluates to true, the code block enclosed in curly braces following the "if" keyword is executed.
- If the condition evaluates to false, the code block enclosed in curly braces following the "else" keyword is executed.
For example
// Program to illustrate if-else statement in Java
public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { int i = 17; if (i < 16) { // Print the message "i is smaller" if the condition is true System.out.println("i is smaller"); } else { // Print the message "i is greater" if the condition is false System.out.println("i is greater"); } System.out.println("Outside the if-else block"); }}
Output
i is greater
Outside the if-else block
This example above clearly shows how an if-else program in java works!
If-else program in Java
Let’s see some if-else programs one by one.
Example 1: Checking if a number is even or odd
Problem statement: Write a program that checks if a given number is even or odd.
// Program to check if a number is even or odd
public class EvenOddChecker {
public static void main(String[] args) { int number = 10;
// Check if the remainder of dividing 'number' by 2 is equal to 0 if (number % 2 == 0) { // If the condition is true, print 'number' is even System.out.println(number + " is even"); } else { // If the condition is false, print 'number' is odd System.out.println(number + " is odd"); } }}
Output
10 is even
The condition number % 2 == 0 checks if the remainder of dividing number by 2 is equal to 0. If it is, then number is even. Otherwise, number is odd.
Example 2: Checking if a year is a leap year
Problem statement: Write a program that checks if a given year is a leap year.
// Program to check if a given year is a leap yearpublic class LeapYearChecker {
public static void main(String[] args) { int year = 2000; // Initialize a boolean variable 'isLeapYear' to store whether the year is a leap year or not boolean isLeapYear = false;
if (year % 4 == 0) { isLeapYear = true;
if (year % 100 == 0 && year % 400 != 0) { isLeapYear = false; } }
if (isLeapYear) { System.out.println(year + " is a leap year"); } else { System.out.println(year + " is not a leap year"); } }}
Output
2000 is a leap year
A leap year is a year that has 366 days instead of the usual 365 days. A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4, except for years that are divisible by 100 but not by 400. The code checks these conditions using nested if-else statements.
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Example 3: Scenario-based Question
Problem Statement: Imagine you are using a ride-sharing app, like Uber or Ola. Sometimes, when the demand for rides is high, these apps activate something called “surge pricing”. This means that the cost of a ride might be higher than usual to balance the high demand with the available drivers.
#include < stdio.h >
int main() { int surgePricingActive = 1;
if (surgePricingActive) { printf("Surge pricing is active. Fares might be higher now."); } else { printf("No surge pricing. Good time to book a ride!"); } return 0;}
Output
Surge pricing is active. Fares might be higher now.
In this code, We used the if-else statement to decide which message to display to the user based on the status of surge pricing. If surge pricing is active, it warns the user. Otherwise, it tells the user it’s a good time to book a ride.
Key Takeaways
- An if-else statement in Java is a fundamental tool for controlling the flow of a program.
- It evaluates a condition and executes the appropriate code block based on the outcome.
- If-else statements are essential for making decisions, handling conditional scenarios, and controlling program flow in various programming applications.
FAQs
What is an If-Else Statement in Java?
An If-Else statement in Java is a fundamental control flow mechanism that allows a program to execute one block of code if a specified condition is true and another block of code if the condition is false. It's a way to make decisions in your program based on the evaluation of expressions.
How Does the If-Else Statement Work?
The If-Else statement evaluates a boolean expression (condition). If the condition evaluates to true, the program executes the block of code following the if statement. If the condition is false, the program executes the block of code following the else statement.
Can You Nest If-Else Statements in Java?
Yes, you can nest If-Else statements within each other in Java. This means you can have an If-Else statement inside another If or Else block. Nested If-Else statements are useful for checking multiple conditions.
When Should You Use an If-Else Statement?
You should use an If-Else statement when you need to execute different blocks of code based on the evaluation of a condition. It's ideal for scenarios where there are two possible paths of execution in your program.
Are There Alternatives to Using If-Else Statements in Java?
Yes, there are alternatives to using If-Else statements in Java for decision-making. The switch statement can sometimes be used as an alternative, particularly when you are checking the same variable against multiple constant values. For more complex conditions, however, If-Else statements or nested If-Else structures might be more appropriate.
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