C++ if else if Statement

Introduction to C++ – A Comprehensive Course for Beginners C++ if else if Statement

In this lesson, you will learn about the if..else.. if statement in C++, with examples to better understand the topic.

C++ if else if Statements

The if…else statement is used to decide between two options before executing a piece of code. However, we utilize the if…else if…else expression if we have to choose between more than two options.

Basic Syntax

if (condition1) {
  // statement(s)
} else if (condition2) {
  // statement(s)
}
-- -- -- -- -- --
else if (conditionN) {
  // statement(s)
} else {
  // statement(s)
}

In the above syntax, the code block runs if condition 1 evaluates to true.

Block 2 of the code is run if condition1 is false, and then condition2 is evaluated.
Block 2 of the code is run if condition 2 is true.
Block 3 of the code is run if condition2 is false, and then condition3 is evaluated.

Note

There can be multiple “else if” statements, but there can only be one if and one else statement.

Example

//A program compares two numbers, whether the number1 is greater or less or equal to number2
#include <iostream>

using namespace std;
int main() {
  int Number1, Number2;
  cout << "Please enter the first number: ";
  cin >> Number1;
  cout << "Please enter the second number: ";
  cin >> Number2;
  if (Number1 > Number2) {
    cout << Number1 << " is greater than " << Number2;
  } else if (Number1 < Number2) {
    cout << Number1 << " is less than " << Number2;
  } else {
    cout << Number1 << " is equal to " << Number2;
  }
  return 0;
}

Output

Please enter the first number: 6
Please enter the second number: 6
6 is equal to 6

We ask the user for two integers in this Program. After that, we determine whether the value is bigger, less, or equal to two by using the “if…else…if…else” ladder.

The user enters the first number less than the second, and the code inside the else if block is executed. The if block’s function is run if the number one is greater than the number two.
If that happens, the else block’s function is run.
In our case, the user entered 6 as the first number and 6 again as the second number. “If …else if” both conditions are false, control executed the else statement, and the Program printed “6 is equal to 6.”

Alternately, you can substitute the ternary “operator?:” for the “if..else” expression. A simple way to express an “if…else” expression is with the ternary operator.

Example

//Program compares two numbers whether number1 is greater or less or equal to number2
#include <iostream>

using namespace std;
int main() {

  int Number1, Number2;

  cout << "Please enter first integer: ";

  cin >> Number1;

  cout << "Please enter second integer: ";

  cin >> Number2;

  (Number1 >= Number2) ? cout << Number1 << " is greater.": cout << Number1 << " is less.";

  return 0;
}

Output

Please enter first integer: 12
Please enter second integer: 11
12 is greater.

This concludes the C++ if..else..if Statement lesson. The next lesson will teach you about the Switch Statement in C++.

Previous Lesson

Back to Course

Next Lesson