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Else

layout: default title: if and else

We may want a set of statements to execute when an if condition is false. * Place an else after the if to do this.

if (age >= 16) {
  System.out.println("Can drive a car.");
}
else {
  System.out.println("Stick to a bike.");
}

Using an else statement means that one set of statements or the other will execute. * Think of else as the default if some condition is not true.

Rules for else

  • Must be part of an if statement.
  • Can go after one or more else if statements.
  • Does not have a condition, so there are no parentheses ( ).
  • Must be the last part of an "if-then-else" statement.
// Will not compile
if (age >= 16) {
  System.out.println("Can drive a car.");
}
else {
  System.out.println("Stick to a bike.");
}
else if (age < 3) { // Error, else must be last
  System.out.println("Too early for training wheels.");
}

Practice Exercise

The if and else are mutually exclusive. This means when one set of statements executes, the other cannot.

Drill

IfElse/src/drills/SalaryDecisions3.java * Change the code to use an else according to the TODO's. * What salary range causes the else block to execute? Add it as a comment in your else block.

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