An elif statement is a type of if-else statement in Python. It allows us to specify additional conditions to check if the previous conditions were not met. It can be thought of as a combination of an "if" statement and an "else" statement. If the initial "if" statement is not true, the code will move on to the first "elif" statement and check that condition. If that condition is also not true, it will move on to the next "elif" statement, and so on, until it finds a true condition or reaches the final "else" statement.
Like the DC supervillain Amazo that can adapt to his opponent's superpower, Elif statements can help our code adapt to changing conditions and make better decisions. So don't ignore the elif statements in the code room - it just might save you from some programming headaches!
The basic syntax of the elif statement is:
Example 1
Type the below code into your editor. You don't have to type the condition one, two, or three notes.
Run the program and your "output window" should give the below result
In the above example, the code checks the value of variable x. If x is less than 5, it prints the message "x is less than 5". If x is not less than 5, it moves on to the next condition, which is specified using an elif statement. If x is between 5 and 9, it prints the message "x is between 5 and 9". If x is not less than 5 or between 5 and 9, it moves on to the final else statement and prints the message "x is 10 or greater".
Since the value of x is 10, which is greater than or equal to 10. The result shall be printed as "x is less than or greater".
Example 2
Here, we shall test if a code is equal to something.
The program checks the variable "number" and the elif statements are used with the == operator to compare the value of the number with specific conditions (10 and 20). Based on the comparison, the program determines and outputs the corresponding message. In this case, the result shall be "The number is equal to 10".
Example 3
In this example, we shall test if a certain mark fall within a certain grade. Type the below script into your editor.
Each elif condition includes the specific mark range for the corresponding grade. The logical operators "and" are used to ensure the mark falls within the desired range. The "output" window should be:
Please note that this example assumes integer input for the mark and assigns grades based on inclusive ranges. You can modify the conditions and ranges as per your specific grading scale.
In conclusion, an elif statement is a powerful tool in Python that allows us to handle multiple conditions and make complex decisions in our programs. By using elif, we can efficiently categorize data, make comparisons, and control the flow of our code. Remember, though, using elif doesn't make you an elf, but it sure can make your code more magical! So go forth, code with confidence, and remember to always add a touch of humor to your programming journey. And now, to leave you with a smile, here's a programming joke: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!