Decision Making Statements In C

• ✅ Switch statements

Conditional operator statements

Each of these declarations enables you to determine outcomes in various manners, based on the intricacy of your code and the precise conditions you must assess.

If-else statements:

The if-else statement in C is the primary decision-making statement, allowing for the execution of a specific block of code based on whether a certain condition is true or false. This essential feature of C programming consists of the following fundamental syntax:

Syntax:

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

For instance, if you wish to determine whether a number is even or odd, you can utilize an if-else statement similar to this:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int num = 6;

if (num % 2 == 0) {
    printf("The number is even");
} else {
    printf("The number is odd");
}
    return 0;
}

Output

The number is even

This script will display "The number is even" as 6 can be divided evenly by 2.

Switch statements:

The switch statement presents a more intricate method of making decisions, enabling the evaluation of a variable or expression against various potential values. In C, the typical syntax for a switch statement is as follows:

Syntax:

switch (expression) {
    case value1:
        // code to execute if expression == value1
        break;
    case value2:
        // code to execute if expression == value2
        break;
    ...
    default:
        // code to execute if expression does not match any case
}

For instance, if you needed to determine a student's grade according to their score, you could employ a switch statement as demonstrated below:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
int score = 85;
char grade;

switch (score / 10) {
    case 10:
    case 9:
        grade = 'A';
        break;
    case 8:
        grade = 'B';
        break;
    case 7:
        grade = 'C';
        break;
    case 6:
        grade = 'D';
        break;
    default:
        grade = 'F';
        break;
}

printf("The grade is %c", grade);

    return 0;
}

Output

The grade is B

This script will display "The grade is B" as a result of dividing 85 by 10 resulting in 8.5, falling within the range of 80 to 89. Consequently, the switch statement corresponds to the case for "8" and assigns the letter 'B' to the variable "grade".

Conditional operator statements:

The ternary operator, also referred to as the conditional operator, offers a concise method for expressing if-else conditions. This operator allows for the evaluation of a condition and the selection of one of two values depending on the result. In C, the standard syntax for a conditional operator statement is as follows:

Syntax:

condition ? value_if_true : value_if_false

For instance, to determine whether a number is positive or negative, you may employ a conditional operator statement similar to this:

Code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
int num = -5;
char* sign = num >= 0 ? "positive" : "negative";

printf("The number is %s", sign);


    return 0;
}

Output

The number is negative

This code snippet will display "The number is negative" as it evaluates -5 as less than 0, resulting in the conditional operator assigning the string "negative" to the variable "sign".

Advantages of decision-making statements in C:

Flexibility: Conditional statements enhance the adaptability and flexibility of your program by enabling you to modify its behavior according to specific conditions.

By using conditional statements in your code, you gain greater control over the program's flow, enabling you to develop code that is both efficient and well-organized.

Enhancing the readability and understanding of our code can be achieved by incorporating decision-making statements, especially when we employ clear variable names and structured code blocks.

Disadvantages of decision-making statements in C:

Complexity: Although decision-making statements are valuable, excessive or improper use can lead to increased code complexity and decreased readability.

Errors: Bugs in decision-making statements can arise if not adequately tested or if errors occur during coding.

Maintenance: As your codebase expands and evolves, managing and modifying conditional statements may become increasingly challenging, particularly when they are nested or interconnected.

Conclusion:

In programming, decision-making statements play a vital role in code development, offering flexibility, efficiency, and structure. It is essential to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of these constructs to utilize them effectively and prevent potential issues. Thoughtful implementation of decision-making statements leads to the creation of resilient, comprehensible, and adaptable programs for long-term maintenance and enhancement.