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else and else if

Learn alternatives with else and else if.

else and else if

When the if condition is false, the else block runs. For multiple conditions use an else if chain.

int score = 40;
if (score >= 50) {
    System.out.println("Pass");
} else {
    System.out.println("Fail");
}

With else if, conditions are tested in order; the first true block runs. Java has no elif keyword; it always uses else if as two words.

The else if chain

For three or more branches use an else if chain. Conditions are tested top to bottom; the first true one runs:

int score = 75;
if (score >= 90) {
    System.out.println("Excellent");
} else if (score >= 80) {
    System.out.println("Good");
} else if (score >= 50) {
    System.out.println("Pass");
} else {
    System.out.println("Fail");
}

Branches after the first true one are skipped. else goes last and is optional.

Practice Compute a grade

Write a Main class with a main method. Assign 85 to int score. With if (score >= 90) print "Excellent", else if (score >= 80) print "Good", else print "Average". Use System.out.println in each block.

Sample solution

Main.java
public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int score = 85;
        if (score >= 90) {
            System.out.println("Excellent");
        } else if (score >= 80) {
            System.out.println("Good");
        } else {
            System.out.println("Average");
        }
    }
}

Expected output

Good

Questions and answers

Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.

1 Complete the else block

Question 
int score = 40;
if (score >= 50) {
    System.out.println("Pass");
} ____ {
    System.out.println("Fail");
}
Answer 
int score = 40;
if (score >= 50) {
    System.out.println("Pass");
} else {
    System.out.println("Fail");
}

Explanation: else runs when if is false.

2 int x = 0; if (x > 10) { A } else if (x > 3) { B } else { C } — which is printed?

  • A
  • B
  • None
  • C Correct answer

Explanation: x=0 matches no condition; else (C) runs.

3 Match the else concepts

Term Meaning
if First condition
else if Second condition
else Fallback
{ } Block

All lessons in Beginner

1 Java basics

  1. What is Java?
  2. The main method
  3. Comments
  4. Class skeleton
  5. javac and java
  6. Summary - Java basics

2 Variables

  1. int and double
  2. boolean
  3. String
  4. Naming variables
  5. final variables
  6. Summary - Variables

3 Data types

  1. Primitive types
  2. Type casting
  3. String concatenation
  4. Math class
  5. BigInteger and BigDecimal
  6. Summary - Data types

4 Project: Calculator

  1. Project design
  2. Add/subtract
  3. Multiply/divide
  4. Error handling
  5. Putting it together

5 Operators

  1. Arithmetic
  2. Comparison
  3. Logical
  4. Bitwise
  5. Assignment and increment
  6. Summary - Operators

6 String basics

  1. length and charAt
  2. equals and equalsIgnoreCase
  3. indexOf and substring
  4. toUpperCase and trim
  5. String.format
  6. Summary - String basics

7 Conditionals

  1. The if statement
  2. else and else if
  3. Nested if
  4. switch
  5. Ternary
  6. Summary - Conditionals

8 Loops

  1. The for loop
  2. The while loop
  3. do-while
  4. break and continue
  5. for-each
  6. Summary - Loops

9 Project: Shopping cart

  1. Cart design
  2. Adding items
  3. Calculating totals
  4. Updating quantity
  5. Putting it together

10 Arrays

  1. Declaring arrays
  2. Array access
  3. Filling arrays
  4. Multi-dimensional arrays
  5. Copying arrays
  6. Summary - Arrays

11 Array methods

  1. Arrays.sort
  2. Arrays.toString
  3. Arrays.binarySearch
  4. Arrays.copyOf
  5. Arrays.fill
  6. Summary - Array methods

12 Collections

  1. ArrayList
  2. add and get
  3. HashMap
  4. put and get
  5. HashSet
  6. Summary - Collections

13 Methods

  1. Defining methods
  2. return
  3. void methods
  4. Method overloading
  5. Scope
  6. Summary - Methods

14 Method parameters

  1. Primitive parameters
  2. Object parameters
  3. varargs
  4. Multiple values via array
  5. final parameters
  6. Summary - Method parameters

15 Project: To-do CLI

  1. Task model
  2. Adding tasks
  3. Listing tasks
  4. Completing tasks
  5. Putting it together

16 String builder

  1. StringBuilder
  2. append
  3. insert and delete
  4. reverse
  5. toString
  6. Summary - String builder

17 Input and output

  1. Scanner
  2. nextInt and nextLine
  3. System.out.printf
  4. BufferedReader
  5. try-with-resources
  6. Summary - Input and output

18 Enum

  1. Declaring enums
  2. values and valueOf
  3. Enum fields
  4. Enum methods
  5. switch with enum
  6. Summary - Enum

19 Exception basics

  1. try/catch
  2. finally
  3. throw
  4. Exception hierarchy
  5. Multiple catch
  6. Summary - Exception basics

20 Beginner final

  1. Project design
  2. Data model
  3. Business logic
  4. Error handling
  5. Putting it together