if,else,elif Statements in python

if Statements in Python allows us to tell the computer to perform alternative actions based on a certain set of results.

Verbally, we can imagine we are telling the computer:

“Hey if this case happens, perform some action”

We can then expand the idea further with elif and else statements, which allow us to tell the computer:

“Hey if this case happens, perform some action. Else, if another case happens, perform some other action. Else, if none of the above cases happened, perform this action.”

Let’s go ahead and look at the syntax format for if statements to get a better idea of this:

if case1:
perform action1
elif case2:
perform action2
else:
perform action3

example:

x = False

if x:
print(‘x was True!’)
else:
print(‘I will be printed in any case where x is not true’)

Multiple Branches

Let’s get a fuller picture of how far if, elif, and else can take us!

We write this out in a nested structure. Take note of how the if, elif, and else line up in the code. This can help you see what if is related to what elif or else statements.

We’ll reintroduce a comparison syntax for Python.

example:

loc = ‘Bank’
if loc == ‘Auto Shop’:
print(‘Welcome to the Auto Shop!’)
elif loc == ‘Bank’:
print(‘Welcome to the bank!’)
else:
print(‘Where are you?’)

Indentation

It is important to keep a good understanding of how indentation works in Python to maintain the structure and order of your code. We will touch on this topic again when we start building out functions!