Conditional Statements in Python
Conditional statements allow you to control the flow of your program based on specific conditions. Python provides several keywords for this purpose: if, else, and elif (short for else if).
The if Statement
The most basic conditional statement is the if statement. It executes a block of code if the specified condition is true.
Python
age = 18
if age >= 18:
print("You are an adult")
The if-else Statement
If the condition in the if statement is false, the code within the else block will be executed.
Python
age = 15
if age >= 18:
print("You are an adult")
else:
print("You are a minor")
The elif Statement
You can check multiple conditions using elif (short for else if).
Python
age = 13
if age >= 18:
print("You are an adult")
elif age >= 13:
print("You are a teenager")
else:
print("You are a child")
Nested if Statements
You can nest if statements within other if statements for complex decision-making.
Python
x = 42
if x > 0:
if x < 10:
print("x is a positive number less than 10")
else:
print("x is a positive number greater than or equal to 10")
else:
print("x is non-positive")
By effectively using conditional statements, you can create dynamic and responsive Python programs.
What are conditional statements?
Conditional statements allow a program to execute different code blocks based on specific conditions.
What is the syntax for an if statement?
The syntax is if condition: code block.
What is the purpose of the else statement?
The else block is executed if the if condition is false.
What is the purpose of the elif statement?
The elif statement allows for multiple conditional checks.
Can I nest if statements?
Yes, you can nest if statements to create complex decision-making structures.
How deep can I nest if statements?
While there’s no strict limit, excessive nesting can make code less readable. Â