Java Else
The else Statement
The else
statement lets you run a block of code
when the condition in the if
statement is false
.
Syntax
if (condition) {
// block of code to be executed if the condition is true
} else {
// block of code to be executed if the condition is false
}
Think of it like real life: If it rains, bring an umbrella. Otherwise (else), go outside without one:
Example
boolean isRaining = false;
if (isRaining) {
System.out.println("Bring an umbrella!");
} else {
System.out.println("No rain today, no need for an umbrella!");
}
Since isRaining
is false, the condition inside the if
statement is not met.
That means the if
block is skipped, and the else
block runs instead, printing "No rain today, no need for an umbrella!".
Another Example
Example
int time = 20;
if (time < 18) {
System.out.println("Good day.");
} else {
System.out.println("Good evening.");
}
// Outputs "Good evening."
Example explained
In the example above, time (20) is greater than 18, so the condition is false
.
Because of this, we move on to the else
condition and print to the screen "Good
evening". If the time was less than 18, the program would print "Good day".
Notes
else
does not have a condition - it runs when theif
condition isfalse
.- Do not put a semicolon right after
if (condition)
. That would end the statement early and makeelse
behave unexpectedly.