4.5 Chained decisions

2 min readjune 24, 2024

are crucial for creating dynamic programs that respond to different scenarios. By using statements, you can evaluate multiple conditions in order, executing the code block for the first true condition encountered.

if-elif-else_0### structures allow you to handle all possible outcomes in a decision tree. This approach ensures your program responds appropriately to various inputs or conditions, creating a comprehensive and organized flow of execution.

Chained Decisions and Control Flow

Multiple conditions with if-elif

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  • Evaluate multiple conditions sequentially using if-elif statements
    • Checks conditions in the order they appear in the code
    • Executes the code block corresponding to the first True condition encountered
    • Skips the remaining conditions once a True condition is found
  • Conditions in an if-elif chain are mutually exclusive
    • Only one code block executes, even if multiple conditions are True (first match wins)
  • Handles different scenarios based on specific conditions (
    if age < 18:
    ,
    elif age >= 65:
    )
    • Allows precise control over program flow and behavior
  • Uses to direct the flow of execution based on condition outcomes

Chained decisions for scenarios

  • Sequence multiple if-elif statements to handle various scenarios
  • Arrange conditions from most specific to most general
    • Ensures specific cases are handled before general ones
    • Improves code readability and maintainability
  • Evaluates each condition until a True condition is found
    • Executes the corresponding code block
    • Skips the remaining conditions in the chain
  • Structures code to handle scenarios in an organized manner (
    if grade >= 90:
    ,
    elif grade >= 80:
    ,
    elif grade >= 70:
    )
  • Creates a decision tree structure for complex conditional logic

If-elif-else for all outcomes

  • Handle all possible outcomes in a decision tree using if-elif-else
    • if
      represents the first condition
    • elif
      represents additional conditions if previous ones are False
    • else
      catches any remaining cases covered by
      if
      and
      elif
  • else
    is optional but recommended to ensure all scenarios are handled
    • Provides a default action when no previous conditions are True (
      else: print("Grade: F")
      )
  • Creates a comprehensive decision tree covering all possible execution paths
    • Prevents unexpected behavior
    • Ensures appropriate program response to different inputs or conditions
  • Example:
    if score >= 90:
        print("Grade: A")
    elif score >= 80:
        print("Grade: B")
    elif score >= 70:
        print("Grade: C")
    elif score >= 60:
        print("Grade: D")
    else:
        print("Grade: F")
    

Advanced Control Flow Techniques

  • : Place if-elif-else structures within other conditional blocks for more complex decision-making
  • : Use AND, OR, and NOT to combine multiple conditions in a single statement
  • : Determine which code blocks to run based on the evaluation of conditions
  • : Manage the order in which instructions are executed in a program

Key Terms to Review (18)

And: The term 'and' is a logical operator used to combine two or more conditions in programming. It is a fundamental concept in Boolean logic and is essential for creating complex decision-making structures in various programming topics, including Boolean values, if-else statements, Boolean operations, operator precedence, chained decisions, and nested decisions.
Arithmetic operators: Arithmetic operators are symbols used in programming to perform mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and modulus. They are fundamental in manipulating numerical data.
Boolean Expressions: A boolean expression is a logical statement that evaluates to either true or false. It is a fundamental concept in programming that allows for decision-making and control flow within a program. Boolean expressions are commonly used in conditional statements, loops, and logical operations to determine the execution path of code.
Branching Logic: Branching logic, also known as conditional logic, is a fundamental programming concept that allows a computer program to make decisions and execute different actions based on specific conditions or criteria. It enables the program to choose between multiple paths of execution, depending on the evaluation of Boolean expressions.
Chained decisions: Chained decisions refer to a series of conditional statements in programming that depend on the outcome of previous conditions. This structure allows for more complex decision-making processes by linking multiple conditions together, enabling a program to handle various scenarios efficiently. With chained decisions, programmers can create pathways in their code that respond dynamically based on the user's input or the state of the program.
Conditional Execution: Conditional execution refers to the ability of a computer program to make decisions and execute different code paths based on specific conditions or criteria. It is a fundamental concept in programming that allows for dynamic and adaptive behavior within a software application.
Conditional Statements: Conditional statements are a fundamental programming construct that allow code to make decisions and execute different actions based on whether a specified condition is true or false. They provide a way to control the flow of a program's execution by evaluating expressions and branching the program's logic accordingly.
Control flow: Control flow is the order in which individual statements, instructions, or function calls are executed or evaluated in a programming language. It determines the logical sequence of operations within a program.
Control Flow: Control flow is the order in which individual statements, instructions, or function calls are executed in a computer program. It determines the path the program will take based on certain conditions or decisions made during runtime.
Decision Tree: A decision tree is a hierarchical model used for decision-making and classification. It visually represents a series of decisions, their possible consequences, and the final outcomes, resembling a tree-like structure.
Elif: The 'elif' statement in Python is a conditional statement that allows for the evaluation of multiple conditions within a single if-else structure. It serves as an extension to the if-else statement, providing a way to check for additional conditions if the initial if condition is not met.
If-elif: The if-elif statement is a control flow structure in programming that allows for chained conditional decisions. It enables the execution of different blocks of code based on multiple conditions, providing a way to make more complex decisions than a simple if-else statement.
If-elif-else: The if-elif-else statement is a conditional control structure in programming that allows for the execution of different blocks of code based on specific conditions. It provides a way to make decisions and take different actions depending on the evaluation of one or more expressions.
Logical Operators: Logical operators are symbols or keywords used in programming to perform logical operations on boolean values, allowing for the evaluation of complex conditions. They are essential in controlling the flow of execution within a program, particularly in decision-making processes.
Nested Conditionals: Nested conditionals refer to the process of embedding one or more conditional statements (if-else statements) within another conditional statement. This allows for complex decision-making processes by nesting multiple levels of logical conditions to determine the appropriate course of action.
Not: The term 'not' is a logical operator used to negate or reverse the meaning of a statement or condition. It is a fundamental concept in Boolean logic and is crucial for understanding various programming constructs, such as conditional statements and Boolean operations.
Or: The logical operator 'or' is a Boolean operation that returns a true value if at least one of the operands is true. It is a fundamental concept in programming and decision-making, allowing for the evaluation of multiple conditions and the selection of appropriate actions based on the results.
Short-Circuit Evaluation: Short-circuit evaluation is a programming concept where the evaluation of a Boolean expression stops as soon as the final result can be determined, without needing to evaluate the entire expression. This optimization technique can improve the efficiency and performance of code that involves Boolean operations.
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