Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

In which scenario would you use the Else clause in an If() statement?

1. When a loop needs to be interrupted

2. When the initial condition is false

3. When performing arithmetic operations

4. When defining a new function

The correct answer is: When the initial condition is false

The Else clause in an If() statement is utilized when the initial condition specified in the If() statement evaluates to false. This allows the code within the Else section to execute, serving as an alternative pathway for execution when the primary condition does not hold true. For instance, if you want to check if a number is positive and take one action if it is (such as printing a message), but execute a different action (like printing a different message or value) if that number is not positive, you would structure your code with an If statement followed by an Else clause. This provides a clear and logical flow for handling different conditions within your program. Using the Else clause enhances readability and control flow by clearly delineating the outcomes of the conditional evaluation.