Conditional

Simple if/ else

Deciding on different path of execution. In python, decision making is done with if, and else statements.

Example of a simple if/else statement:

							
mark = 51
if mark >= 50:
	# executed if mark >= 50
	print "You passed the test!"    
else:
	# executed if mark < 50
	print "You failed the test!"     	
						

Chained Conditions

In cases where there are more than two possible paths of execution, you can use the if/elif/else block as shown below:

mark = 51
if mark >= 70:
	# executed if mark >= 70
	print "You scored an 'A'!"      
elif mark >= 60:
	# executed if mark >= 60
	print "You scored a 'B'!"       
elif mark >= 50:
	# executed if mark >= 50
	print "You scored a 'C'!"       
else:
	# executed if mark < 50
	print "You failed the test!"    
						

Logical Operators: and & or

Use and operator to make complex decisions involving two (or more) conditions. The result is True only if both conditions evaluate to True. See Example below:

>>> True and True
True
>>> False and True
False
>>> True and False
False
>>> False and False
False
						

The or operator works in the same way. The result is True if either one of the conditions evaluates to True.

>>> True or True
True
>>> True or False
True
>>> False or True
True
>>> False or False
False
						

Logical Operators (Examples)

Applying the same principle, a combination of and and or operators can be used to make complex decisions involving 3 or more conditions.

>>> True or True and False
False
>>> False and True or True
True
>>> True or False and True
True
						

Examples of using and and or operators for decision making:

def get_results(test1, test2):
    if test1 >= 50 and test2 >= 50:
        print "Passed both tests!"
    elif test1 >= 50 or test2>= 50:
        print "Passed at least one test!"
    else:
        print "Failed both tests!"
						

Calling the get_result() function:

>>> get_result(40, 60)
Passed at least one test!
>>> get_result(51, 52)
Passed both tests!
>>> get_result(23, 43)
Fail both tests!
						

The Nested if/else Construct

It is possible to nest if/else statement within other if/else statement, creating nested structure. This is usually used to test two or more different conditions. See example below:

							
if gender = 'M':
    if age > 12:
        discount = 5
    else:
        discount = 10
else:
    if age > 12:
        discount = 10
    else:
        discount = 15
						

Code Snippets

This section will contain some code snippets to show some practical use of the topic that you have learnt.

# Calculating BMI

# Underweight = < 18.5
# Normal weight = 18.5 - 24.9
# Overweight = 25 - 29.9
# Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater 
# ------------------------------

weight = 65.0
height = 1.7
bmi = weight / (height * height)

if bmi < 18.5:
	print "Underweight"
elif bmi < 25:
	print "Normal weight"
elif bmi < 30:
	print "Overweight"
else:
	print "Obesity"