Java Else If
The else if Statement
Use the else if statement to specify a new condition if the first condition is false.
Syntax
if (condition1) {
// block of code to be executed if condition1 is true
} else if (condition2) {
// block of code to be executed if the condition1 is false and condition2 is true
} else {
// block of code to be executed if the condition1 is false and condition2 is false
}
Think of it like real life: If it rains, bring an umbrella. Else if it's sunny, wear sunglasses. Else, just go outside normally.
Example
int weather = 2; // 1 = raining, 2 = sunny, 3 = cloudy
if (weather == 1) {
System.out.println("Bring an umbrella.");
} else if (weather == 2) {
System.out.println("Wear sunglasses.");
} else {
System.out.println("Just go outside normally.");
}
// Outputs "Wear sunglasses."
Since weather is 2, the first condition (weather == 1) is not met, so the if block is skipped.
The program then checks the else if condition (weather == 2), which is true.
That means the else if block runs and prints "Wear sunglasses.".
Another Example
This example chooses between three different messages depending on the time of day:
Example
int time = 22;
if (time < 10) {
System.out.println("Good morning.");
} else if (time < 18) {
System.out.println("Good day.");
} else {
System.out.println("Good evening.");
}
// Outputs "Good evening."
Example explained
In the example above, time (22) is greater than 10, so the first condition is false. The next condition, in the
else if statement, is also false, so we move on to the else
condition since condition1 and condition2 is both false - and print to the screen "Good
evening".
However, if the time was 14, our program would print "Good day.":
Example
int time = 14;
if (time < 10) {
System.out.println("Good morning.");
} else if (time < 18) {
System.out.println("Good day.");
} else {
System.out.println("Good evening.");
}
// Outputs "Good day."
