If–else statement in C - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of an if–else statement in C?

An if–else statement lets the program choose between two paths: one if a condition is true, and another if it is false.

beginner

Write the basic syntax of an if–else statement in C.

if (condition) { // code if condition is true } else { // code if condition is false }

beginner

What happens if the condition in an if statement is false and there is no else block?

The program skips the if block and continues with the next code after it, doing nothing inside the if block.

intermediate

Can you have multiple else if blocks in C? What is their purpose?

Yes, multiple else if blocks let you check several conditions one after another, running the code for the first true condition.

beginner

Explain with an example how if–else helps in decision making.

Example: if (score >= 50) { printf("Pass\n"); } else { printf("Fail\n"); } This checks if score is 50 or more to print Pass, otherwise prints Fail.

What will the following code print if x = 10? if (x > 5) { printf("Yes"); } else { printf("No"); }

A Error

B No

C Nothing

D Yes

Since 10 is greater than 5, the condition is true, so it prints "Yes".

Which keyword is used to check an additional condition after an if in C?

A else if

B elseif

C elif

D else

In C, the correct keyword is "else if" (two words).

What happens if the condition in an if statement is false and there is no else block?

A Program crashes

B The if block is skipped

C The else block runs

D The program asks for input

If the condition is false and no else block exists, the program skips the if block and continues.

Which of these is a valid if–else syntax in C?

A if condition then { } else { }

B if condition { } else { }

C if (condition) { } else { }

D if (condition) then { } else { }

In C, conditions must be inside parentheses: if (condition) { } else { }

Can an if statement exist without an else block?

A Yes, else is optional

B No, else is mandatory

C Only if the condition is true

D Only if the condition is false

The else block is optional; you can have just an if statement.

Explain how an if–else statement controls the flow of a program.

Think about how the program chooses what to do next based on a question.

Write a simple if–else statement in C that prints "Even" if a number is even, and "Odd" if it is odd.

Use number % 2 to check if remainder is zero.

Practice

1. What does an if-else statement do in C?

easy

A. It declares a variable.

B. It repeats a block of code multiple times.

C. It defines a new function.

D. It chooses between two actions based on a condition.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of if-else

   An if-else statement lets the program pick one of two paths depending on whether a condition is true or false.

2. Step 2: Match the description to the options

   Only It chooses between two actions based on a condition. describes choosing between two actions based on a condition, which is exactly what if-else does.

3. Final Answer:

   It chooses between two actions based on a condition. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   If-else = choose between two paths [OK]

Hint: If you want two choices, use if-else [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing if-else with loops
• Thinking if-else declares variables
• Mixing if-else with function definitions

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for an if-else statement in C?

easy

A. if (condition) then { /* code */ } else { /* code */ }

B. if condition then { /* code */ } else { /* code */ }

C. if (condition) { /* code */ } else { /* code */ }

D. if condition { /* code */ } else { /* code */ }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall C syntax rules for if-else

   In C, conditions must be inside parentheses and braces {} are used for code blocks.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   Only if (condition) { /* code */ } else { /* code */ } uses parentheses around the condition and braces correctly without extra keywords like 'then'.

3. Final Answer:

   if (condition) { /* code */ } else { /* code */ } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax uses parentheses and braces [OK]

Hint: Remember: if(condition) with braces {} [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses around condition
• Using 'then' keyword (not in C)
• Skipping braces for multiple statements

3. What will be the output of this C code?

#include 
int main() {
    int x = 10;
    if (x > 5) {
        printf("Greater\n");
    } else {
        printf("Smaller\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

medium

A. Greater

B. Smaller

C. 10

D. No output

Solution

1. Step 1: Evaluate the condition x > 5

   Variable x is 10, which is greater than 5, so the condition is true.

2. Step 2: Determine which block runs

   Since the condition is true, the code inside the if block runs, printing "Greater".

3. Final Answer:

   Greater -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   10 > 5 is true, so prints "Greater" [OK]

Hint: Check if condition is true or false to pick output [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing which block runs on true condition
• Ignoring the newline character in printf
• Assuming else block runs when condition is true

4. Find the error in this if-else code snippet:

int a = 3;
if a > 0
    printf("Positive\n");
else
    printf("Non-positive\n");

medium

A. Missing semicolon after if statement

B. Missing parentheses around condition in if statement

C. Missing braces around printf statements

D. Incorrect else keyword

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of if condition

   In C, the condition in an if statement must be inside parentheses (). Here, it is missing.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   Semicolons after printf are present, braces are optional for single statements, and else keyword is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing parentheses around condition in if statement -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   if condition needs parentheses ( ) [OK]

Hint: Always put condition inside parentheses ( ) [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting parentheses in if condition
• Thinking braces are always required for single statements
• Misplacing else keyword

5. You want to write a program that prints "Even" if a number is even, and "Odd" if it is odd. Which if-else code correctly does this in C?

hard

A. if (num % 2 == 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); }

B. if (num / 2 == 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); }

C. if (num % 2 = 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); }

D. if (num % 2 != 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to check even numbers

   A number is even if dividing by 2 leaves remainder 0, which is checked by num % 2 == 0.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   if (num % 2 == 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); } correctly uses modulus operator and equality check. if (num / 2 == 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); } uses division instead of modulus. if (num % 2 = 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); } uses assignment (=) instead of comparison (==). if (num % 2 != 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); } reverses the logic.

3. Final Answer:

   if (num % 2 == 0) { printf("Even\n"); } else { printf("Odd\n"); } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use modulus == 0 to check even [OK]

Hint: Use num % 2 == 0 to test even numbers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using division instead of modulus
• Using = instead of == in condition
• Reversing even and odd logic