Python Conditions and If Statements

Conditions and if statements are used in Python to perform different actions based on whether a specific condition evaluates to true or false. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of conditions and if statements and how to use them in your Python code.

Basic Syntax

The basic syntax of an if statement in Python is as follows:

if condition:
    # Code block to be executed if the condition is true

The condition can be any expression that evaluates to true or false. If the condition is true, the code block inside the if statement is executed. If the condition is false, the code block is skipped.

Example:

x = 10
if x > 5:
    print("x is greater than 5")  # Output: x is greater than 5

Using Else Statements

You can use an else statement to execute a different block of code if the condition in the if statement evaluates to false. The syntax is as follows:

if condition:
    # Code block to be executed if the condition is true
else:
    # Code block to be executed if the condition is false

Example:

x = 2
if x > 5:
    print("x is greater than 5")
else:
    print("x is not greater than 5")  # Output: x is not greater than 5

Using Elif Statements

You can use an elif statement (short for else if) to check multiple conditions. The syntax is as follows:

if condition1:
    # Code block to be executed if condition1 is true
elif condition2:
    # Code block to be executed if condition2 is true
else:
    # Code block to be executed if none of the above conditions are true

Example:

x = 5
if x > 5:
    print("x is greater than 5")
elif x < 5:
    print("x is less than 5")
else:
    print("x is equal to 5")  # Output: x is equal to 5

Conclusion

Conditions and if statements are fundamental concepts in Python programming, allowing you to control the flow of your program based on different conditions. By mastering these concepts, you can write more dynamic and powerful Python programs.