Understand the idea

An if/else chain checks conditions in order. The first true branch runs, and the rest of that chain is skipped. Put more specific or stricter thresholds before broader ones when the conditions overlap.

Explore the details

Java Conditions and If Statements

Conditions let your program make decisions — running different code depending on whether something is true or false.

Think of it like real life: "If it rains, take an umbrella. Otherwise, wear sunglasses." Your program does the same — it checks a condition, then takes the right path.

The if Statement

Use if to run a block of code only when a condition is true. If the condition is false, the block is skipped entirely.

Code anatomy / கோடின் விளக்கம்

The else Statement

Add an else block to handle the case when the condition is false. Only one of the two blocks will ever run — never both.

The else if Statement

When you need to check more than two possibilities, chain else if blocks. Java checks each condition from top to bottom and runs the first one that is true.

Conditions Use Comparison Operators

Every if condition evaluates to true or false. You build conditions using comparison operators:

• a == b — Equal to
• a != b — Not equal to
• a > b — Greater than
• a < b — Less than
• a >= b — Greater than or equal to
• a <= b — Less than or equal to

int score = 75;
if (score >= 90) {
    System.out.println("A");
} else if (score >= 80) {
    System.out.println("B");
} else if (score >= 70) {
    System.out.println("C");
} else {
    System.out.println("Below C");
}
// Output: C

// Ternary shorthand
String result = (score >= 50) ? "Pass" : "Fail";
System.out.println(result);  // Pass

A complete runnable example

This complete Main.java program focuses on the lesson idea. Reference fragments above may demonstrate individual statements; this example includes the imports, entry point, and supporting types it needs.

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        int score = 75;
        if (score >= 90) {
            System.out.println("Excellent");
        } else if (score >= 60) {
            System.out.println("Pass");
        } else {
            System.out.println("Try again");
        }
    }
}

Pass

Change it. Run it. Understand it.

Load this lesson example into the editor. Change one value or statement, predict the result, then press RUN to execute Java.

Make it your own

Your learning checkpoint

• Explain the example without reading the output first.
• Make the change requested in the practice task.
• Describe why the result changed—or why compilation failed.

Ready to move on? Follow the next lesson in course order, or return to the curriculum to review a prerequisite.