If–else statement in Java - Mini Project: Build & Apply

If-else statement

📖 Scenario: You are creating a simple program to check if a person is old enough to vote. In many countries, the voting age is 18 years.

🎯 Goal: Build a Java program that uses an if-else statement to decide if a person can vote based on their age.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create an integer variable called age with the value 20.

Create an integer variable called votingAge with the value 18.

Use an if-else statement to check if age is greater than or equal to votingAge.

Print "You can vote." if the person is old enough.

Print "You cannot vote yet." if the person is too young.

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

If-else statements help computers make choices, like checking if someone can vote or not.

💼 Career

Understanding if-else is essential for programming jobs because decision-making is everywhere in software.

1

Create the age variable

Create an integer variable called age and set it to 20.

Java

# Your code here

Hint

Use int age = 20; inside the main method.

2

Create the votingAge variable

Create an integer variable called votingAge and set it to 18 below the age variable.

Java

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int age = 20;
        // Your code here
    }
}

Hint

Use int votingAge = 18; after age.

3

Add the if-else statement

Use an if-else statement to check if age is greater than or equal to votingAge. Inside the if, write System.out.println("You can vote.");. Inside the else, write System.out.println("You cannot vote yet.");.

Java

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int age = 20;
        int votingAge = 18;
        // Your code here
    }
}

Hint

Use if (age >= votingAge) { ... } else { ... } with the correct print statements inside.

4

Print the result

Run the program and ensure it prints You can vote..

Java

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int age = 20;
        int votingAge = 18;
        if (age >= votingAge) {
            System.out.println("You can vote.");
        } else {
            System.out.println("You cannot vote yet.");
        }
        // Your code here
    }
}

Hint

Run the program to see the output in the console.

Practice

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

easy

A. It defines a new class.

B. It repeats code multiple times.

C. It stores multiple values in a list.

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 decide between two paths depending on a condition.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Repeating code is done by loops, storing values is done by collections, and defining classes is unrelated.

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 stores data
• Mixing if-else with class definitions

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

easy

A. if condition { } else { }

B. if (condition) { } else { }

C. if (condition) then { } else { }

D. if condition then { } else { }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Java syntax rules

   Java requires parentheses around the condition and curly braces for code blocks.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   Only if (condition) { } else { } uses parentheses and curly braces correctly without extra keywords like 'then'.

3. Final Answer:

   if (condition) { } else { } -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Parentheses + braces = correct syntax [OK]

Hint: Remember: condition in () and code in {} [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses around condition
• Using 'then' keyword incorrectly
• Missing curly braces for blocks

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

int x = 10;
if (x > 5) {
    System.out.println("Greater");
} else {
    System.out.println("Smaller or equal");
}

medium

A. Greater

B. Smaller or equal

C. No output

D. Compilation error

Solution

1. Step 1: Evaluate the condition x > 5

   Since x is 10, the condition 10 > 5 is true.

2. Step 2: Determine which block runs

   The if block runs and prints "Greater"; the else block is skipped.

3. Final Answer:

   Greater -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

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

Hint: Check condition true? Run if-block, else run else-block [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing > with <
• Thinking else block runs when if is true
• Assuming no output if condition true

4. Identify the error in this Java code snippet:

int num = 7;
if num > 5 {
    System.out.println("Yes");
} else {
    System.out.println("No");
}

medium

A. Missing curly braces around else block.

B. Missing semicolon after if statement.

C. Missing parentheses around the condition in if statement.

D. Variable num is not declared.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if statement syntax

   Java requires parentheses around the condition in an if statement.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   Semicolon after if is not needed; curly braces are present; num is declared.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing parentheses around the condition in if statement. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   If condition needs () [OK]

Hint: Always put condition inside () in if [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses in if condition
• Adding unnecessary semicolon after if
• Forgetting to declare variables

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

int n = 4;
// Your code here

hard

A. if (n % 2 == 0) {
System.out.println("Even");
} else {
System.out.println("Odd");
}

B. if (n / 2 == 0) {
System.out.println("Even");
} else {
System.out.println("Odd");
}

C. if (n % 2 = 0) {
System.out.println("Even");
} else {
System.out.println("Odd");
}

D. if (n % 2 != 0) {
System.out.println("Even");
} else {
System.out.println("Odd");
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how to check even numbers

   A number is even if dividing by 2 leaves remainder 0, so use n % 2 == 0.

2. Step 2: Check each option's condition

   if (n % 2 == 0) { System.out.println("Even"); } else { System.out.println("Odd"); } uses correct equality check with == and modulo operator. if (n / 2 == 0) { System.out.println("Even"); } else { System.out.println("Odd"); } uses division instead of modulo. if (n % 2 = 0) { System.out.println("Even"); } else { System.out.println("Odd"); } uses assignment = instead of comparison ==. if (n % 2 != 0) { System.out.println("Even"); } else { System.out.println("Odd"); } reverses logic.

3. Final Answer:

   if (n % 2 == 0) { System.out.println("Even"); } else { System.out.println("Odd"); } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use modulo == 0 to check even [OK]

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

Common Mistakes:

• Using = instead of == for comparison
• Using division instead of modulo
• Reversing even and odd logic