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The ‘else’ Keyword in C Programming

   January 1, 2024
C Programming @ Freshers.in

In C programming, the ‘else’ keyword is a pivotal component of conditional statements. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the ‘else’ keyword, its role in controlling conditional execution, and includes real-world examples with outputs to illustrate its significance in making decisions within your code.

Understanding the ‘else’ Keyword

The ‘else’ keyword in C is used in conjunction with ‘if’ statements to define an alternative code block to execute when the ‘if’ condition is not satisfied. It allows you to create branches in your code, enabling different actions based on whether a condition evaluates to true or false.

Syntax for ‘if-else’ Statement:

if (condition) {
    // Code to execute when the condition is true
} else {
    // Code to execute when the condition is false
}

Example 1: Using ‘if-else’ to Determine Odd or Even

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    int num = 7;
    if (num % 2 == 0) {
        printf("%d is even\n", num);
    } else {
        printf("%d is odd\n", num);
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

7 is odd

In this example, the ‘if-else’ statement is used to determine whether the variable num is even or odd. Since 7 is not divisible by 2, the ‘else’ block is executed, displaying “7 is odd.”

Benefits of Using ‘else’

  1. Conditional Execution: ‘else’ enables you to define alternative code blocks that execute based on the outcome of a condition, allowing your program to make decisions.
  2. Code Efficiency: ‘else’ optimizes code execution by choosing the appropriate branch to follow, enhancing program efficiency.

Example 2: Grade Classification

#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    int score = 85;
    if (score >= 90) {
        printf("Grade: A\n");
    } else if (score >= 80) {
        printf("Grade: B\n");
    } else if (score >= 70) {
        printf("Grade: C\n");
    } else {
        printf("Grade: F\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

Grade: B

In this example, ‘else if’ statements are used to classify a student’s grade based on their score. Depending on the score, the appropriate grade classification is displayed.

Common Use Cases for ‘else’

  1. Decision Making: ‘else’ is used to make decisions in programs, allowing different code paths based on conditions.
  2. Error Handling: ‘else’ can be used to handle errors or exceptional cases when conditions are not met.
  3. Branching Logic: ‘else’ enables branching logic, guiding program flow based on specific criteria.
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