Nested conditionals

Learn to build complex logic with nested if and switch.

Nested if

You can put another if inside an if block. This creates nested conditions; for example first a broad category, then a sub-category.

int age = 25;
int has_ticket = 1;
if (age >= 18) {
    if (has_ticket) {
        printf("Allowed\n");
    } else {
        printf("Need ticket\n");
    }
} else {
    printf("Underage\n");
}

Nested conditions are powerful but hurt readability as they deepen. Beyond three levels prefer && or a helper function.

if inside switch

You can also use if inside switch blocks. This is useful when each case needs extra conditional logic.

int role = 1;
int level = 5;
switch (role) {
    case 1:
        if (level >= 3) {
            printf("Manager\n");
        } else {
            printf("Apprentice\n");
        }
        break;
    default:
        printf("Guest\n");
}

Here role=1 and level=5 give the output Manager. Indentation at every level keeps the code readable.

Exercise Entry check with nested if

Write a C program. Declare int age = 25; and int has_ticket = 0;. Write an outer if (age >= 18); inside it use if (has_ticket) to print printf("Allowed\n"); and else to print printf("Need ticket\n");. In the outer else print printf("Underage\n");. Put #include <stdio.h> at the top.

Show example solution

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int age = 25;
    int has_ticket = 0;
    if (age >= 18) {
        if (has_ticket) {
            printf("Allowed\n");
        } else {
            printf("Need ticket\n");
        }
    } else {
        printf("Underage\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

Test yourself

Complete the inner if

if (age >= 18) {
    ____ (has_ticket) {
        printf("Allowed");
    }
}

Show answer

if (age >= 18) {
    if (has_ticket) {
        printf("Allowed");
    }
}

For age=25, has_ticket=0 what's the output?
```
if (age >= 18) {
    if (has_ticket) printf("Allowed");
    else printf("Need ticket");
} else printf("Underage");
```
- Need ticket
- Allowed
- Underage
- Empty output
Show answer

Need ticket — age is 18+ but no ticket; the inner else runs.
Match the nested structures

if inside if

Tiered check
if inside switch

Sub-condition in a case
&& operator

Two conditions in one if
else if

Chain condition

Next lesson: Summary - Conditionals

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