Syntax of the if-else Statement in C programming

Syntax of the if-else Statement in C

The if-else statement in C provides a way to execute one block of code if a condition is true and another block if the condition is false. This control structure is essential for making decisions in your program based on varying conditions.

Basic Syntax

The syntax of the if-else statement is as follows:

if (condition) {
    // code to be executed if the condition is true
} else {
    // code to be executed if the condition is false
}

In this syntax:

• condition is an expression that evaluates to either true or false.
• The code block within the first set of curly braces { } is executed if the condition is true.
• The code block within the else block is executed if the condition is false.

Example Code

Here’s an example demonstrating how to use the if-else statement:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int number = 7;

    if (number % 2 == 0) {
        printf("The number is even.\n");
    } else {
        printf("The number is odd.\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

In this example:

• The variable number is initialized with the value 7.
• The if condition number % 2 == 0 checks if the number is even.
• If the condition is true, it prints "The number is even."
• If the condition is false, it prints "The number is odd."

Key Points

• Decision Making: The if-else statement helps in making decisions by evaluating a condition and executing the appropriate code block.
• Control Flow: It controls the flow of execution based on whether a condition is true or false.
• Flexibility: You can nest multiple if-else statements or use else if for more complex conditions.

Note: Understanding and using the if-else statement effectively is crucial for implementing conditional logic in C programs.