DAY 3 Control Flow (if, elseif, else)

Welcome back to our Python programming journey! Today, we're embarking on an exciting exploration of a fundamental concept in programming - Control Flow.

Just as navigating through junctions is essential for safe and efficient driving, understanding control flow is crucial for writing effective programs that can adapt to different situations.

In this blog, we'll take a deep dive into control flow in Python, focusing specifically on the three key components: if, elif, and else statements. These statements act as the traffic signals of our code, allowing us to make decisions and direct the flow of execution based on specific conditions.

Control Flow

Control flow statements are similar to road signs, guiding your program's direction based on specific conditions. Control flow allows us to make decisions in our code, directing its execution based on specific conditions.

If Statement:

In Python, the if statement serves as a conditional statement that evaluates whether a specific condition is true or false. It determines which block of code to execute based on the outcome of this evaluation. Essentially, the if statement poses a question to your program: "Is this condition true?"

if condition:
    #Code to execute if condition is True

for example

x = 20
if x > 8:
    print("x is greater than 8")

the if statement checks whether the value of "x" is greater than 8. If the condition holds true, the message "x is greater than 8" is printed .

Else Statement:

What if the condition in the if statement isn't true? That's where the else statement comes in. It provides an alternative block of code to execute when the if condition is false.

if condition:
    #code to execute if condition is True
else:
    #code to execute if condition is False

for example

x = 2
if x > 5:
    print("x is greater than 5")
else:
    print("x is not greater than 5")

In this example, since the condition "x > 5" evaluates to false, the code block within the else statement is executed, printing "x is not greater than 5".

Elif Statement:

In Python, the elif statement provides a means to evaluate additional conditions after an initial if statement. It serves as an intermediary between if and else, allowing for the merging of multiple condition checks within a single control flow structure.

if condition1:
    #Code to execute if condition1 is True
elif condition2:
    #Code to execute if condition1 is False and condition2 is True
else:
    #Code to execute if both condition1 and condition2 are False

for example

x = 5
if x > 5:
    print("x is greater than 5")
elif x == 5:
    print("x is equal to 5")
else:
    print("x is less than 5")

In this example, the elif statement checks if "x" is equal to 5 after the initial if condition is false. If true, it executes the corresponding code block, printing "x is equal to 5" to the console.

By including elif into your control flow structures, you can handle multiple conditions with ease, enhancing the flexibility and robustness of Python code.

Conclusion

In conclusion, control flow in Python is essential for becoming a proficient programmer. By understanding the if, elif, and else statements, you gain the ability to create code that can make decisions and respond intelligently to various scenarios.

In short -

• The if initiates the conditional statement.

• The else follows the if statement, signaling the beginning of the alternative code block

• elif is used after an initial if statement to check additional conditions, enabling multiple condition checks within a single control flow structure.

Stay curious! Happy coding <3