The if-else statement in Python is a fundamental control structure that allows you to execute code based on certain conditions. It’s essential for decision-making in your programs.
Basic Syntax
if condition:
# Code to execute if condition is true
else:
# Code to execute if condition is false
Example
age = 18
if age >= 18:
print("You are an adult.")
else:
print("You are a minor.")
Using elif for Multiple Conditions
The elif
keyword allows you to check multiple conditions:
score = 85
if score >= 90:
print("Grade A")
elif score >= 80:
print("Grade B")
elif score >= 70:
print("Grade C")
else:
print("Grade D")
Nesting if Statements
You can nest if
statements within each other:
num = 10
if num > 0:
print("Positive number")
if num % 2 == 0:
print("Even number")
else:
print("Odd number")
else:
print("Negative number")
Conditional Expressions (Ternary Operator)
Python supports conditional expressions for simple if-else
statements:
message = "Even" if num % 2 == 0 else "Odd"
print(message)
Conclusion
Understanding if-else
statements is crucial for controlling the flow of your Python programs. They allow you to make decisions and execute code conditionally.