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Java · Basics

Conditional Statements

Conditions let your program take different paths depending on data.

Beginner 5 min Lesson 5 of 31Examples target Java 21 LTS (they also run on Java 25).
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On this page · 5 min · Beginner

On this page

  1. In simple words
  2. Learning objectives
  3. Explanation
  4. Code example
  5. Step by step
  6. Real-world use
  7. Common mistakes
  8. Best practices
  9. Remember this
  10. Practice exercise
  11. Mini quiz
  12. Related topics
  13. My notes
Reading time
5 min
Difficulty
Beginner
Updated
Oct 30, 2026

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Interview questions

In simple words#

An if statement is a railway junction: depending on the signal (condition), the train goes down exactly one track.

if / else if / else
Choose one branch by condition.
switch expression
Pick a value by case using ->.
yield
Return a value from a block inside a switch expression.

Learning objectives#

  • Write if/else chains
  • Use switch statements
  • Use modern switch expressions
  • Avoid deep nesting

Explanation#

if (condition) { … } else if (…) { … } else { … } — the first true branch runs.

Classic switch needs break to stop fall-through.

Switch expressions (Java 14+) use case X -> value, return a value and do not fall through.

Return early or use guard clauses to avoid deeply nested ifs.

Code example: Grades and delivery days#

JavaGrades and delivery days Illustrative
int marks = 82;
String grade;
if (marks >= 90) grade = "A+";
else if (marks >= 75) grade = "A";
else if (marks >= 60) grade = "B";
else grade = "C";


String day = "SAT";
int deliveryDays = switch (day) {
    case "MON", "TUE", "WED", "THU", "FRI" -> 2;
    case "SAT" -> 3;
    case "SUN" -> {
        System.out.println("No dispatch on Sunday");
        yield 4;
    }
    default -> throw new IllegalArgumentException("Unknown day: " + day);
};


System.out.println("Grade " + grade + ", delivery in " + deliveryDays + " days");
Expected output
Grade A, delivery in 3 days

This example is illustrative. Copy or download it and run it in your own environment; the expected output is shown above.

Step-by-step explanation#

  1. The if chain stops at the first true condition.
  2. Several labels share one case.
  3. A block case uses yield to return its value.
  4. default throws for unexpected input.

Real-world use case#

Order systems use switch expressions to map order status to messages and delivery estimates.

Common mistakes#

Missing break in classic switch

Execution falls through to the next case. Prefer switch expressions.

Comparing strings with == in if

Use "SAT".equals(day).

Best practices#

  • Prefer switch expressions
  • Use guard clauses
  • Always handle default
  • Keep conditions readable

Remember this#

First true branch wins.

case X -> value: no fall-through.

yield returns from a block case.

Practice exercise#

Your task: Return "Weekend" for SAT/SUN and "Weekday" otherwise with a switch expression.

Show solution
Java Illustrative
String type = switch (day) {
    case "SAT", "SUN" -> "Weekend";
    default -> "Weekday";
};

Mini quiz#

Conditional Statements quizMultiple choice Question 1 of 1

What keyword returns a value from a block in a switch expression?

Score so far: 0/0

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My notes#

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