Unit 4.
Control Structures
Conditional Statements
1. if Statement:
Description: Evaluates a condition. If the condition is true, the block
of code within the if statement is executed.
Syntax:
if (condition) {
// code to be executed if condition is true
}
Example:
if (x > 0) {
cout << "x is positive";
}
2. if-else Statement:
Description: Provides an alternative block of code if the condition is
false.
Syntax:
if (condition) {
// code to be executed if condition is true
} else {
// code to be executed if condition is false
}
Example:
if (x > 0) {
cout << "x is positive";
} else {
cout << "x is non-positive";
}
3. The if-else if Statement
Description: The if-else if statement is used to test multiple
conditions sequentially. The code block associated with the first
condition that evaluates to true is executed, and the rest of the
conditions are ignored. If none of the conditions are true, the else
block (if present) is executed.
Syntax of if-else if Statement
if (condition1) {
// Code to execute if condition1 is true
} else if (condition2) {
// Code to execute if condition2 is true
} else if (condition3) {
// Code to execute if condition3 is true
} else {
// Code to execute if none of the above conditions are true
}
Example of if-else if Statement : Let's consider an example to
determine a student's grade based on their score:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int score;
cout << "Enter the student's score: ";
cin >> score;
if (score >= 90) {
cout << "Grade: A" << endl;
}
else if (score >= 80) {
cout << "Grade: B" << endl;
}
else if (score >= 70) {
cout << "Grade: C" << endl;
}
else if (score >= 60) {
cout << "Grade: D" << endl;
}
else {
cout << "Grade: F" << endl;
}
return 0;
}
If the score is 90 or above, the program outputs "Grade: A".
If the score is between 80 and 89, "Grade: B" is output.
If the score is between 70 and 79, "Grade: C" is output.
If the score is between 60 and 69, "Grade: D" is output.
If the score is below 60, "Grade: F" is output.
4. Conditional Operator ( ?: ):
Description: A shorthand for if-else . It evaluates a condition and
returns one of two values.
Syntax:
condition ? value_if_true : value_if_false;
Example:
int max = (a > b) ? a : b;
5. switch Statement:
Description: Allows a variable to be tested for equality against a list
of values (cases). When a match is found, the corresponding block of
code is executed.
Syntax:
switch (expression) {
case value1:
// code to be executed if expression == value1
break;
case value2:
// code to be executed if expression == value2
break;
default:
// code to be executed if no case matches
}
Example:
switch (day) {
case 1:
cout << "Monday";
break;
case 2:
cout << "Tuesday";
break;
default:
cout << "Invalid day";
}
6. Nested Decision Statements:
Description: Using one if or switch statement inside another if ,
else if , or switch statement.
Example:
if (x > 0) {
if (y > 0) {
cout << "x and y are positive";
} else {
cout << "x is positive, but y is not";
}
}
Looping Statements
1. for Loop:
Description: Repeats a block of code a specific number of times.
Syntax:
for (initialization; condition; update) {
// code to be executed
}
Example:
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << i << " ";
}
2. while Loop:
Description: Repeats a block of code as long as the condition is true.
Syntax:
while (condition) {
// code to be executed
}
Example:
int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
cout << i << " ";
i++;
}
3. do-while Loop:
Description: Similar to the while loop, but the block of code is
executed at least once before the condition is tested.
Syntax:
do {
// code to be executed
} while (condition);
Example:
int i = 0;
do {
cout << i << " ";
i++;
} while (i < 5);
4. Nested Loops:
Description: A loop inside another loop. Each time the outer loop runs,
the inner loop runs its entire cycle.
Example:
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
cout << i << ", " << j << " ";
}
}
Controlling Loop Execution
1. break :
Description: Exits the loop or switch statement immediately.
Example:
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i == 3) break;
cout << i << " ";
}
// Output: 0 1 2
2. continue :
Description: Skips the current iteration of the loop and proceeds to the
next iteration.
Example:
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i == 3) continue;
cout << i << " ";
}
// Output: 0 1 2 4
3. goto Keyword:
Description: Transfers control to a labeled statement elsewhere in the
program. Generally discouraged as it can make code harder to read and
maintain.
Example:
int i = 0;
start:
cout << i << " ";
i++;
if (i < 5) goto start;
Multiple-Selection Keywords
1. switch :
Description: Covered earlier under conditional statements. Allows for
multiple selections based on a variable's value.
2. case :
Description: Represents a specific value in a switch statement that, if
matched, will execute the associated code block.
Example:
switch (choice) {
case 1:
cout << "Choice is 1";
break;
case 2:
cout << "Choice is 2";
break;
}
3. default :
Description: A fallback case in a switch statement, executed if no
other case matches.
Example:
switch (choice) {
case 1:
cout << "Choice is 1";
break;
default:
cout << "Invalid choice";
}
Possible Questions
1. LOTS:
What is the difference between if and if-else statements?
How does a for loop differ from a while loop?
What is the role of the break statement in a loop?
2. HOTS:
Explain how the switch statement can be used for handling multiple
conditions and compare it with nested if-else statements.
Describe a scenario where a goto statement might be justified despite
its potential drawbacks.
How can nested loops be optimized to reduce complexity in a given
algorithm?
