Java Conditional Statements

Conditional statements are a key part of Core Java programming.

They help you make decisions in your code — executing different actions based on certain conditions.

What Are Conditional Statements?

Conditional statements allow your program to check conditions (like true or false) and decide which block of code to execute.

For example,

“If the user is above 18, print ‘Eligible to vote’, else print ‘Not eligible’.”

Types of Conditional Statements in Java

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Type	Description
`if` statement	Executes a block only if condition is true
`if-else` statement	Executes one block if true, another if false
`if-else-if` ladder	Checks multiple conditions sequentially
`nested if`	`if` inside another `if`
`switch` statement	Selects one case from multiple options

1. if Statement

The simplest conditional form — checks a condition and executes code if it’s true.

if (condition) {
    // code to execute if condition is true
}

Example:

int age = 20;
if (age >= 18) {
    System.out.println("You are eligible to vote.");
}

Output:

You are eligible to vote.

2. if-else Statement

Executes one block if the condition is true, another block if false.

if (condition) {
    // code if true
} else {
    // code if false
}

Example:

int number = 10;
if (number % 2 == 0) {
    System.out.println("Even Number");
} else {
    System.out.println("Odd Number");
}

Output:

Even Number

3. if-else-if Ladder

Used when you have multiple conditions to check.

if (condition1) {
    // code
} else if (condition2) {
    // code
} else {
    // default code
}

Example:

int marks = 85;

if (marks >= 90) {
    System.out.println("Grade A");
} else if (marks >= 75) {
    System.out.println("Grade B");
} else if (marks >= 50) {
    System.out.println("Grade C");
} else {
    System.out.println("Fail");
}

Output:

Grade B

4. Nested if Statement

You can use one if statement inside another.

It’s useful when multiple conditions depend on each other.

Example:

int age = 25;
boolean hasID = true;

if (age >= 18) {
    if (hasID) {
        System.out.println("Access Granted");
    } else {
        System.out.println("ID Required");
    }
} else {
    System.out.println("Underage");
}

Output:

Access Granted

5. switch Statement

switch is used to select one option from many.

It’s more readable than multiple if-else blocks.

Syntax:

switch (expression) {
    case value1:
        // code
        break;
    case value2:
        // code
        break;
    default:
        // code
}

Example:

int day = 3;

switch (day) {
    case 1:
        System.out.println("Monday");
        break;
    case 2:
        System.out.println("Tuesday");
        break;
    case 3:
        System.out.println("Wednesday");
        break;
    default:
        System.out.println("Invalid day");
}

Output:

Wednesday

Java 14+ Enhancement – Switch Expressions

Modern Java allows switch as an expression, returning a value directly.

Example:

int day = 2;
String dayName = switch (day) {
    case 1 -> "Monday";
    case 2 -> "Tuesday";
    case 3 -> "Wednesday";
    default -> "Invalid";
};
System.out.println(dayName);

Output:

Tuesday

Example: Conditional Statements in Action

import java.util.Scanner;

public class ConditionalExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);

        System.out.print("Enter your score: ");
        int score = sc.nextInt();

        if (score >= 90) {
            System.out.println("Excellent!");
        } else if (score >= 75) {
            System.out.println("Good job!");
        } else if (score >= 50) {
            System.out.println("You passed!");
        } else {
            System.out.println("Try again!");
        }

        sc.close();
    }
}

Output Example:

Enter your score: 82
Good job!

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