If-else execution flow in PHP - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of an if-else statement in PHP?

An if-else statement lets the program choose between two paths based on a condition. If the condition is true, it runs one block of code; if false, it runs another.

beginner

How do you write a simple if-else statement in PHP?

Use if (condition) { ... } else { ... }. The code inside the if block runs if the condition is true; otherwise, the else block runs.

beginner

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

If the condition is false and no else block exists, PHP skips the if block and continues running the rest of the code.

intermediate

Can you have multiple conditions checked in PHP using if-else?

Yes, you can use elseif to check multiple conditions in order. PHP runs the block for the first true condition it finds.

beginner

Why is if-else important in programming?

If-else lets programs make decisions, like choosing what to do next based on data or user input. It makes programs flexible and interactive.

What will this PHP code output?

<?php
$age = 20;
if ($age >= 18) {
  echo "Adult";
} else {
  echo "Child";
}
?>

A No output

B Child

C Adult

D Error

Since $age is 20, which is greater than or equal to 18, the if block runs and outputs 'Adult'.

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

A The else block runs

B The if block runs anyway

C The program crashes

D The program skips the if block and continues

Without an else block, if the condition is false, PHP skips the if block and continues running the rest of the code.

Which keyword lets you check multiple conditions in PHP?

A elseif

B else if

C switch

D case

The 'elseif' keyword lets you check multiple conditions in sequence inside if-else statements.

What is the correct syntax for an if-else statement in PHP?

A if (condition) { ... } else { ... }

B if condition then ... else ...

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

D if condition { ... } else { ... }

PHP requires parentheses around the condition and curly braces for code blocks: if (condition) { ... } else { ... }

Why do programmers use if-else statements?

A To repeat code multiple times

B To make decisions based on conditions

C To store data

D To define functions

If-else statements let programs choose different actions depending on conditions, enabling decision-making.

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

Think about how the program chooses which code to run.

Describe the difference between if, else if, and else in PHP.

Consider how multiple choices are handled.

Practice

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

easy

A. It repeats code multiple times.

B. It chooses one block of code to run based on a condition.

C. It runs all blocks of code regardless of conditions.

D. It defines a function.

Solution

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

   An if-else statement checks a condition and runs code based on whether the condition is true or false.

2. Step 2: Compare options with definition

   Only "It chooses one block of code to run based on a condition." correctly describes this behavior; others describe loops or functions.

3. Final Answer:

   It chooses one block of code to run based on a condition. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   If-else = choose one path [OK]

Hint: If-else picks one path based on true or false [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking if-else runs all code blocks
• Confusing if-else with loops
• Believing if-else defines functions

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

easy

A. if ($x > 10) { echo 'Yes' } else { echo 'No' }

B. if $x > 10 then echo 'Yes' else echo 'No'

C. if ($x > 10) echo 'Yes' else echo 'No'

D. if ($x > 10) { echo 'Yes'; } else { echo 'No'; }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check PHP if-else syntax rules

   PHP requires parentheses around the condition and braces around the code blocks.

2. Step 2: Identify correct syntax

   if ($x > 10) { echo 'Yes'; } else { echo 'No'; } uses parentheses and braces correctly. if $x > 10 then echo 'Yes' else echo 'No' uses invalid keywords. if ($x > 10) echo 'Yes' else echo 'No' misses braces which is allowed but needs semicolons. if ($x > 10) { echo 'Yes' } else { echo 'No' } misses semicolons inside braces.

3. Final Answer:

   if ($x > 10) { echo 'Yes'; } else { echo 'No'; } -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax = if ($x > 10) { echo 'Yes'; } else { echo 'No'; } [OK]

Hint: Use parentheses and braces with semicolons in PHP if-else [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses around condition
• Missing semicolons after statements
• Using invalid keywords like 'then'

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

$score = 75;
if ($score >= 60) {
    echo "Pass";
} else {
    echo "Fail";
}

medium

A. Pass

B. Fail

C. 60

D. No output

Solution

1. Step 1: Evaluate the condition $score >= 60

   The variable $score is 75, which is greater than or equal to 60, 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 "Pass".

3. Final Answer:

   Pass -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   75 >= 60 is true, so output = Pass [OK]

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

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing true and false branches
• Ignoring comparison operators
• Expecting numeric output instead of string

4. Find the error in this PHP code snippet:

if ($age > 18)
    echo "Adult";
else
    echo "Minor"

medium

A. Missing parentheses around condition

B. Missing braces around if and else blocks

C. Missing semicolon after echo "Minor"

D. Incorrect comparison operator

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax for echo statements

   Each echo statement must end with a semicolon in PHP.

2. Step 2: Identify missing semicolon

   The echo "Minor" line is missing a semicolon at the end, causing a syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon after echo "Minor" -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Every statement needs semicolon [OK]

Hint: Always end echo statements with semicolon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting semicolon after last statement
• Thinking braces are always required
• Misreading comparison operators

5. You want to write a PHP program that prints "Good morning" if the hour is less than 12, "Good afternoon" if the hour is between 12 and 17 (inclusive), and "Good evening" otherwise. Which code correctly implements this using if-else statements?

hard

A. if ($hour < 12) {
echo "Good morning";
} else if ($hour <= 17) {
echo "Good afternoon";
} else {
echo "Good evening";
}

B. if ($hour < 12) {
echo "Good morning";
} else if ($hour > 12 && $hour < 17) {
echo "Good afternoon";
} else {
echo "Good evening";
}

C. if ($hour <= 12) {
echo "Good morning";
} else if ($hour >= 12 && $hour <= 17) {
echo "Good afternoon";
} else {
echo "Good evening";
}

D. if ($hour < 12) {
echo "Good morning";
} else if ($hour >= 12 && $hour < 17) {
echo "Good afternoon";
} else {
echo "Good evening";
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the conditions for each greeting

   "Good morning" if hour < 12, "Good afternoon" if hour between 12 and 17 inclusive, else "Good evening".

2. Step 2: Check each option's condition ranges

   if ($hour < 12) { echo "Good morning"; } else if ($hour <= 17) { echo "Good afternoon"; } else { echo "Good evening"; } correctly uses $hour < 12, then $hour <= 17 for afternoon, covering 12 to 17 inclusive. Others either exclude 12 or 17 or overlap incorrectly.

3. Final Answer:

   if ($hour < 12) { echo "Good morning"; } else if ($hour <= 17) { echo "Good afternoon"; } else { echo "Good evening"; } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct ranges cover all hours without gaps [OK]

Hint: Check boundary conditions carefully in if-else chains [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong comparison operators for boundaries
• Overlapping or missing hour ranges
• Confusing inclusive and exclusive conditions