Python Conditional Statements Explained | if, elif, else & Nested if

Conditional statements allow a program to make decisions based on specific conditions. In Python, we commonly use if, elif, else, and nested if statements to control the flow of logic. In this blog, we’ll explore how these conditional structures work, along with simple examples to help beginners understand them clearly.

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What is an if else Statement?

The if else structure checks a condition. If it's true, one block of code runs; otherwise, a different block runs.

For example, we can create a function called check_number that takes a number as input. If the number is greater than zero, it will print “Positive number.” Otherwise, it will print “Zero or Negative number.”

We can then test this function using numbers like 10 and -3. The result will show which condition was met.
What is an if elif else Statement?

The if elif else statement is used when we want to test multiple conditions in a structured way.

For instance, consider a grade_checker function that evaluates a score and prints the corresponding grade. If the score is 90 or above, it prints “Grade: A.” If it’s between 80 and 89, it prints “Grade: B,” and so on. If none of the conditions are met, it defaults to “Grade: F.”

Using scores like 85 and 65 will show how the function handles different ranges.
What is a Nested if Statement?

A nested if statement means putting one if inside another. This is useful when you need to test a second condition only if the first one is true.

For example, we can define a vote_eligibility function. It checks if someone is 18 or older. If they are, it further checks whether they have a valid ID. If both conditions are true, it prints “Eligible to vote.” Otherwise, it gives different responses like “You need an ID to vote” or “Not eligible to vote.”

This shows how we can layer logic step by step.
Final Remarks

Conditional statements are the foundation of decision-making in any programming language. Understanding how to use if, elif, else, and nested if structures will allow you to write smarter, more interactive Python programs.

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