Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

Which block type would you use for making a decision in programming?

1. Function block

2. Boolean block

3. Conditional block

4. Iteration block

The correct answer is: Conditional block

Using a conditional block is essential for making decisions in programming. This type of block allows a program to execute different instructions based on whether a specific condition evaluates to true or false. For example, in a typical `if` statement, the conditional block will contain the code that should run if the condition is true, while potentially also specifying alternative actions for when the condition is false. When faced with a scenario that requires branching logic—where the flow of the program must change depending on certain criteria—a conditional block is the appropriate choice. It facilitates handling various outcomes and enables a program to adapt its behavior dynamically based on the input or state at runtime.