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So far, you've learned how to compare values and combine conditions. But the program always just calculates a result — it doesn't really choose what to do with it.

In real systems, that's not enough. A coffee shop doesn't just check if something is true — it also reacts:

If the shop is open → accept orders;
If it's closed → reject orders;
If a condition is met → show a special message.

That's exactly what if-else statements allow us to do.

An if-else statement lets the program choose between two paths depending on whether a condition is true or false:

if (condition) {
   // runs if condition is true
} else {
   // runs if condition is false
}

Example 1 — Boolean variable as condition

Main.java


              1234567891011121314
            
package com.example;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        boolean isMember = false;

        if (isMember) {
            System.out.println("You get a loyalty discount");
        } else {
            System.out.println("No discount available");
        }
    }
}

The isMember variable is used directly as the condition. Since it's false, Java skips the if block and runs the else block instead, printing "No discount available".

Example 2 — Expression as condition

Main.java


              12345678910111213
            
package com.example;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int orderPrice = 7;

        if (orderPrice > 5) {
            System.out.println("This order is expensive");
        } else {
            System.out.println("This order is affordable");
        }
    }
}

Here Java first evaluates the expression orderPrice > 5, which returns true, so the if block runs and prints "This order is expensive".

With if-else, the program stops being passive and starts taking one of two possible paths depending on the condition.

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 3. Chapter 4

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if-else Statements in Java

So far, you've learned how to compare values and combine conditions. But the program always just calculates a result — it doesn't really choose what to do with it.

In real systems, that's not enough. A coffee shop doesn't just check if something is true — it also reacts:

If the shop is open → accept orders;
If it's closed → reject orders;
If a condition is met → show a special message.

That's exactly what if-else statements allow us to do.

An if-else statement lets the program choose between two paths depending on whether a condition is true or false:

if (condition) {
   // runs if condition is true
} else {
   // runs if condition is false
}

Example 1 — Boolean variable as condition

Main.java


              1234567891011121314
            
package com.example;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        boolean isMember = false;

        if (isMember) {
            System.out.println("You get a loyalty discount");
        } else {
            System.out.println("No discount available");
        }
    }
}

The isMember variable is used directly as the condition. Since it's false, Java skips the if block and runs the else block instead, printing "No discount available".

Example 2 — Expression as condition

Main.java


              12345678910111213
            
package com.example;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int orderPrice = 7;

        if (orderPrice > 5) {
            System.out.println("This order is expensive");
        } else {
            System.out.println("This order is affordable");
        }
    }
}

Here Java first evaluates the expression orderPrice > 5, which returns true, so the if block runs and prints "This order is expensive".

With if-else, the program stops being passive and starts taking one of two possible paths depending on the condition.

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 3. Chapter 4