Else If

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layout: default title: if and else if

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We may want to test additional conditions only when a first one is not true. We can do this with else if.

if (firstCondition) {
  body to execute when first condition is true
}
else if (secondCondition) {
  body to execute when firstCondition was false AND secondCondition is true
}

The if and else if are now considered one "control flow" statement. * They are tied together; the else if will only evaluate secondCondition when firstCondition is false.

Adding to our previous example

if (answer == 42) {
  System.out.println("Correct!");
}
else if (answer < 0) {
  System.out.println("Answer should not be negative");
}

The flow chart for this now has two decision diamonds.

Practice Exercise

An else if can only be placed immediately after an if statement, because it is the condition we test only if the first condition is false.

This will not compile.

int age = 16;
if (age < 12) {
  System.out.println("Can buy a kids' meal.");
}
boolean canDrive = age >= 16;
else if (canDrive) { //does not follow if statement
  System.out.println("Can drive.");
}

Drill

IfElse/src/drills/SalaryDecisions2.java * Change the code to use else if according to the TODO's.

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