Understandi
ng If and
Else If
Statements
in C
Language
Introduction:
An "else if" statement is a conditional statement in
programming that allows you to evaluate multiple
A.
conditions in sequence. It's used when there are more
than two possible outcomes for a decision.
1. if Statement:
“The if statement is used to evaluate a condition,
If the condition is true, the block of code inside
the if statement is executed. If the condition is
false, the block is skipped.”
Syntax:
if(condition) { // if body // Statements to
execute if condition is true }
Example:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int number = 10;
if (number > 0) {
printf("The number is positive.\n");
}
return 0;}
Explanation: In this example, the condition number > 0 is true, so the program prints“ The number is
positive." If number were less than or equal to 0, the code inside the if block would not execute.
2. Else-If:
“The else if statement allows you to
check multiple conditions in sequence. It
is used after an if statement and before
an optional else statement.”
Syntax:
if (condition1) {
// Code to execute if condition1 is true}
else if(condition2) {
// Code to execute if condition2 is true}
else {
// Code to execute if none of the conditions are
true}
Example: Explanation:
#include <stdio.h> If number > 0, the program prints "The number is
int main() { positive."
int number = 0; If number < 0, the program prints "The number is
if (number > 0) { negative."
printf("The number is positive.\n"); If neither condition is true, the else block executes,
} else if (number < 0) { printing "The number is zero."
printf("The number is negative.\n");
} else {
printf("The number is zero.\n");
}
return 0;}
Key Points to Remember:
• The if statement executes a block of code if its condition evaluates to true.
• The else if statement allows checking multiple conditions in sequence.
• The else statement executes a block of code if none of the previous conditions are true.
• Conditions inside if and else if statements must evaluate to a boolean (true or false).
• Use curly braces {} to define blocks of code, even if the block contains a single statement, to
avoid logical errors.
Flowchart for if - else if Structure:
1. Start
2. Evaluate the first condition (if).
• If true, execute the corresponding block and skip remaining checks.
3. Evaluate the next condition (else if).
• If true, execute the corresponding block and skip remaining checks.
4. Continue checking conditions in sequence.
5. If no conditions are true, execute the else block (if present).
6. End.
Real-World Example: Explanation:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() { Scores greater than or equal to 85 are categorized as
int score;
"Excellent."
printf("Enter the student's score: ");
scanf("%d", &score); Scores between 70 and 84 are "Good."
if (score >= 85) { Scores between 50 and 69 are "Average."
printf("Excellent\n");
Scores below 50 are "Poor."
} else if (score >= 70) {
printf("Good\n");
} else if (score >= 50) { printf("Average\
n");
} else {
printf("Poor\n");
}
return 0;}
