In Python, if statements are crucial for controlling the flow of a program. They allow you to execute different blocks of code based on specific conditions. There are two main types of if statements in Python: if-else and if-elif-else. This article aims to clarify the differences between these two types of statements and provide guidance on when to use each.
The IF- Else statement is used when you need to choose between two alternatives. If only one statement you have to evaluate you can use the IF- Else statement. The IF-Else statement is employed to carry out a particular action when a designated condition is found to be true. In the event that the condition evaluates to false, an alternate statement within the optional else clause will be executed.
Its syntax is as follows:
if condition:
# do something if the condition is true
else:
# do something if the condition is false
To illustrate, consider the following example:
In this case, if the variable number is greater than 0, the output will be "The number is positive"; otherwise, it will be "The number is negative."
The IF-Elif-Else statement is used when you have more than two alternatives to choose from. The use of IF-Elif statements is appropriate when you need to assess multiple statements. There is no restriction on the number of IF-Elif statements that can be utilized within a statement. The elif statement provides the capability to examine multiple expressions and execute a block of code as soon as one of the conditions evaluates to be true.
Its syntax is as follows:
if condition1:
# do something if condition1 is true
elif condition2:
# do something if condition 2 is true
else:
# do something if both condition1 and condition2 are false
Let's consider an example that demonstrates the usage of if-elif-else:
In this case, if the number is greater than 0, it will print "The number is positive." If the number is less than 0, it will print "The number is negative." Otherwise, if the number is equal to 0, it will print "The number is zero."
To determine which type of if statement to use, consider the following guidelines:
Use if-else statements when the alternatives are mutually exclusive. This means that if one alternative is true, the other alternatives must be false.
Use if-elif-else statements when the alternatives are not mutually exclusive. This means that it is possible for more than one alternative to be true simultaneously.
Conclusion:
In Python, if statements play a crucial role in controlling program flow. Understanding the differences between if-else and if-elif-else statements is essential for making informed programming decisions. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you can choose the appropriate type of if statement for your specific requirements
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