If-elseif-else statements in PowerShell - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

Output of nested if-elseif-else in PowerShell

What is the output of this PowerShell script?

PowerShell

param($num = 15)

if ($num -lt 10) {
    Write-Output "Less than 10"
} elseif ($num -lt 20) {
    Write-Output "Between 10 and 19"
} else {
    Write-Output "20 or more"
}

A Less than 10

B No output

C 20 or more

D Between 10 and 19

💡 Hint

Check which condition matches the value 15.

The variable $num is 15. The first condition ($num -lt 10) is false. The elseif condition ($num -lt 20) is true, so it outputs 'Between 10 and 19'.

💻 Command Output

intermediate

PowerShell if-elseif-else with string comparison

What will this PowerShell script output when $color is set to 'blue'?

PowerShell

$color = 'blue'

if ($color -eq 'red') {
    Write-Output 'Stop'
} elseif ($color -eq 'yellow') {
    Write-Output 'Caution'
} elseif ($color -eq 'green') {
    Write-Output 'Go'
} else {
    Write-Output 'Unknown color'
}

A Unknown color

B Caution

C Go

D Stop

💡 Hint

Check if 'blue' matches any of the specified colors.

The variable $color is 'blue', which does not match 'red', 'yellow', or 'green', so the else block runs and outputs 'Unknown color'.

📝 Syntax

advanced

Identify the syntax error in this PowerShell if-elseif-else block

Which option contains the syntax error in this PowerShell code snippet?

PowerShell

if ($x -gt 10) {
    Write-Output 'Greater than 10'
} elseif ($x -lt 5) {
    Write-Output 'Less than 5'
} else
    Write-Output 'Between 5 and 10'

A Missing closing brace after elseif block

B Missing opening brace after else

C Incorrect comparison operator in if condition

D Missing dollar sign in variable name

💡 Hint

Check the else block syntax carefully.

The else block lacks an opening brace '{' before the Write-Output statement, causing a syntax error.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this PowerShell script not output anything?

Given this script, why is there no output?

PowerShell

$value = 0

if ($value) {
    Write-Output 'Value is true'
} elseif (-not $value) {
    Write-Output 'Value is false'
} else {
    Write-Output 'Value is unknown'
}

A Because 0 is treated as false, so the if block is skipped and elseif condition is true, but Write-Output is not called

B Because PowerShell treats 0 as true, so the if block runs but Write-Output is missing

C Because 0 is treated as false, the if block is skipped, the elseif condition is true, so it outputs 'Value is false'

D Because the script has a syntax error and does not run

💡 Hint

Remember how PowerShell treats 0 in boolean context.

In PowerShell, 0 is treated as false. So the if ($value) condition is false, the elseif (-not $value) is true, so it outputs 'Value is false'.

🚀 Application

expert

Determine the final value of $result after this PowerShell script runs

What is the value of $result after running this script?

PowerShell

$score = 85

if ($score -ge 90) {
    $result = 'A'
} elseif ($score -ge 80) {
    $result = 'B'
} elseif ($score -ge 70) {
    $result = 'C'
} elseif ($score -ge 60) {
    $result = 'D'
} else {
    $result = 'F'
}

A 'B'

B 'A'

C 'C'

D 'F'

💡 Hint

Check the conditions in order and see which one matches 85 first.

85 is not greater or equal to 90, so first if fails. 85 is greater or equal to 80, so $result is set to 'B'. The rest are skipped.

Practice

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

easy

A. It chooses which code to run based on conditions.

B. It repeats code multiple times.

C. It stores data in variables.

D. It defines a function.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the purpose of if-elseif-else

   An if-elseif-else statement checks conditions and runs code based on which condition is true. This matches "It chooses which code to run based on conditions."

2. Final Answer:

   It chooses which code to run based on conditions. -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   if-elseif-else controls flow by conditions = B [OK]

Hint: If it picks code based on true/false, it's if-elseif-else [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing if-elseif-else with loops
• Thinking it stores data
• Mixing it up with function definitions

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to start an if statement in PowerShell?

easy

A. if $x == 5 then { }

B. if ( $x -eq 5 ) { }

C. if $x = 5 { }

D. if $x equals 5 { }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall PowerShell if syntax and verify options

   PowerShell uses if (condition) { code } with -eq for equality check. "if ( $x -eq 5 ) { }" uses correct parentheses, -eq operator, and braces. Others use wrong operators or keywords.

2. Final Answer:

   if ( $x -eq 5 ) { } -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   PowerShell if: parens + -eq = A [OK]

Hint: Use parentheses and -eq for conditions in if [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using == instead of -eq
• Omitting parentheses
• Using = for comparison

3. What will this PowerShell code output?

 $num = 7
if ($num -lt 5) {
  'Less than 5'
} elseif ($num -eq 7) {
  'Equal to 7'
} else {
  'Other'
}

medium

A. Equal to 7

B. No output

C. Other

D. Less than 5

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace code execution step-by-step

   $num is 7, ($num -lt 5) is false. ($num -eq 7) is true, outputs 'Equal to 7'.

2. Final Answer:

   Equal to 7 -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   7 -eq 7 triggers elseif = D [OK]

Hint: Check conditions top to bottom, first true runs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing first if block without checking condition
• Ignoring elseif block
• Assuming else runs always

4. Find the error in this PowerShell snippet:

if $value -gt 10 {
  'Greater than 10'
} elseif ($value -eq 10) {
  'Equal to 10'
} else {
  'Less than 10'
}

medium

A. Braces {} are not allowed

B. Using -gt instead of >

C. Missing else keyword

D. Missing parentheses around first if condition

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax and identify the error

   PowerShell requires parentheses around the condition in if statements. The first if lacks them: "if $value -gt 10 {" should be "if ($value -gt 10) {". Matches "Missing parentheses around first if condition".

2. Final Answer:

   Missing parentheses around first if condition -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   All if conditions need parentheses = A [OK]

Hint: Always put conditions inside parentheses in if [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses in if
• Confusing -gt with > (both valid but -gt preferred)
• Forgetting else keyword

5. You want to write a script that prints:
- 'Cold' if temperature is below 10,
- 'Warm' if temperature is between 10 and 25 inclusive,
- 'Hot' if temperature is above 25.
Which if-elseif-else structure correctly implements this?

hard

A. if ($temp -lt 10) { 'Cold' } elseif ($temp -ge 25) { 'Hot' } else { 'Warm' }

B. if ($temp -le 10) { 'Cold' } elseif ($temp -lt 25) { 'Warm' } else { 'Hot' }

C. if ($temp -lt 10) { 'Cold' } elseif ($temp -le 25) { 'Warm' } else { 'Hot' }

D. if ($temp -gt 25) { 'Hot' } elseif ($temp -gt 10) { 'Warm' } else { 'Cold' }

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze temperature ranges and verify conditions

   Cold: below 10, Warm: 10-25 inclusive, Hot: above 25. "if ($temp -lt 10) { 'Cold' } elseif ($temp -le 25) { 'Warm' } else { 'Hot' }": <10=Cold, <=25=Warm (10-25), else Hot. Matches exactly.

2. Final Answer:

   if ($temp -lt 10) { 'Cold' } elseif ($temp -le 25) { 'Warm' } else { 'Hot' } -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Ranges covered correctly = C [OK]

Hint: Order conditions from smallest to largest range [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up less than and less or equal
• Wrong order causing wrong output
• Overlapping or missing ranges