6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
C - Decision Making
Every programming language including C has decision-making statements to
support conditional logic. C has a number of alternatives to add decision-making in
the code.
Any process is a combination of three types of logic −
Sequential logic
Decision or branching
Repetition or iteration
A computer program is sequential in nature and runs from top to bottom by
default. The decision-making statements in C provide an alternative line of
execution. You can ask a group of statements to be repeatedly executed till a
condition is satisfied.
The decision-making structures control the program flow based on conditions. They
are important tools for designing complex algorithms.
We use the following keywords and operators in the decision-making statements
of a C program − if, else, switch, case, default, goto, the ?: operator, break,
and continue statements.
In programming, we come across situations when we need to make some decisions.
Based on these decisions, we decide what should we do next. Similar situations arise
in algorithms too where we need to make some decisions and based on these
decisions, we will execute the next block of code.
The next instruction depends on a Boolean expression, whether the condition is
determined to be True or False. C programming language assumes any non-zero and
non-null values as True, and if it is either zero or null, then it is assumed as a False
value.
C programming language provides the following types of decision making
statements.
Sr.No. Statement & Description
1 if statement
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6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
An if statement consists of a boolean expression followed by one or more
statements.
if...else statement
2 An if statement can be followed by an optional else statement, which
executes when the Boolean expression is false.
nested if statements
3 You can use one if or else-if statement inside another if or else-if
statement(s).
switch statement
4 A switch statement allows a variable to be tested for equality against a
list of values.
nested switch statements
5
You can use one switch statement inside another switch statement(s).
If Statement in C Programming
The if statement is used for deciding between two paths based on a True or False
outcome. It is represented by the following flowchart −
Syntax
if (Boolean expr){
expression;
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6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
...
}
An if statement consists of a boolean expression followed by one or more
statements.
If...else Statement in C Programming
The if–else statement offers an alternative path when the condition isn't met.
Syntax
if (Boolean expr){
expression;
...
}
else{
expression;
...
}
An if statement can be followed by an optional else statement, which executes when
the Boolean expression is false.
Nested If Statements in C Programming
Nested if statements are required to build intricate decision trees, evaluating
multiple nested conditions for nuanced program flow.
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6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
You can use one if or else-if statement inside another if or else-if statement(s).
Switch Statement in C Programming
A switch statement simplifies multi-way choices by evaluating a single variable
against multiple values, executing specific code based on the match. It allows a
variable to be tested for equality against a list of values.
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Syntax
switch(expression) {
case constant-expression :
statement(s);
break; /* optional */
case constant-expression :
statement(s);
break; /* optional */
/* you can have any number of case statements */
default : /* Optional */
statement(s);
}
As in if statements, you can use one switch statement inside another switch
statement(s).
The ?: Operator in C Programming
We have covered the conditional operator (?:) in the previous chapter which can
be used to replace if-else statements. It condenses an if-else statement into a
single expression, offering compact and readable code.
It has the following general form −
Exp1 ? Exp2 : Exp3;
Where Exp1, Exp2, and Exp3 are expressions. Notice the use and placement of the
colon (:). The value of a "?" expression is determined like this −
Exp1 is evaluated. If it is true, then Exp2 is evaluated and becomes the value of the
entire ? expression.
If Exp1 is false, then Exp3 is evaluated and its value becomes the value of the :
expression.
You can simulate nested if statements with the ? operator. You can use another
ternary operator in true and/or false operand of an existing ? operator.
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6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
An algorithm can also have an iteration logic. In C, the while, do–while and for
statements are provided to form loops.
The loop formed by while and do–while are conditional loops, whereas the for
statement forms a counted loop.
The loops are also controlled by the Boolean expressions. The C compiler decides
whether the looping block is to be repeated again, based on a condition.
The program flow in a loop is also controlled by different jumping statements. The
break and continue keywords cause the loop to terminate or perform the next
iteration.
The Break Statement in C Programming
In C, the break statement is used in switch–case constructs as well as in loops.
When used inside a loop, it causes the repetition to be abandoned.
The Continue Statement in C Programming
In C, the continue statement causes the conditional test and increment portions of
the loop to execute.
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6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
The goto Statement in C Programming
C also has a goto keyword. You can redirect the program flow to any labelled
instruction in the program.
Here is the syntax of the goto statement in C −
goto label;
..
.
label: statement;
With the goto statement, the flow can be directed to any previous step or any
subsequent step.
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6/16/24, 11:54 AM C - Decision Making
In this chapter, we had a brief overview of the decision-making statements in C. In
the subsequent chapters, we will have an elaborate explanation on each of these
decision-making statements, with suitable examples.
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