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Learning objectives

By the end of this section you should be able to

  • Identify the branches taken in an if-elif and if-elif-else statement.
  • Create a chained decision statement to evaluate multiple conditions.

elif

Sometimes, a complicated decision is based on more than a single condition. Ex: A travel planning site reviews the layovers on an itinerary. If a layover is greater than 24 hours, the site should suggest accommodations. Else if the layover is less than one hour, the site should alert for a possible missed connection.

Two separate if statements do not guarantee that only one branch is taken and might result in both branches being taken. Ex: The program below attempts to add a curve based on the input test score. If the input is 60, both if statements are incorrectly executed, and the resulting score is 75.

    score = int(input())
    if score < 70:
      score += 10
    # Wrong:
    if 70 <= score < 85:
      score += 5

Chaining decision statements with elif allows the programmer to check for multiple conditions. An elif (short for else if) statement checks a condition when the prior decision statement's condition is false. An elif statement is part of a chain and must follow an if (or elif) statement.

if-elif statement template:

    # Statements before

    if condition:
      # Body
    elif condition:
      # Body
    
    # Statements after

Checkpoint

Example: Livestream features

Concepts in Practice

Using elif

1.
Fill in the blank to execute Body 2 when condition_1 is false and condition_2 is true.
if condition_1:
  # Body 1
__ condition_2:
  # Body 2
  1. if
  2. elif
  3. else
2.
Given x = 42 and y = 0, what is the final value of y?
if x > 44:
  y += 2
elif x < 50:
  y += 5
  1. 2
  2. 5
  3. 7
3.
Which conditions complete the code such that if x is less than 0, Body 1 executes, else if x equals 0, Body 2 executes.
if _________:
  # Body 1
elif _________:
  # Body 2
  1. x < 0
    x == 0
  2. x == 0
    x < 0
  3. x <= 0
    [no condition]
4.
Which of the following is a valid chained decision statement?
  1. if condition_1:
      # Body 1
    elif condition_2:
      # Body 2
    
  2. if condition_1:
      # Body 1
      elif condition_2:
        # Body 2
    
  3. elif condition_1:
      # Body 1
    if condition_2:
      # Body 2
    
5.
Given attendees = 350, what is the final value of rooms?
rooms = 1
if attendees >= 100:
  rooms += 3
if attendees <= 200:
  rooms += 7
elif attendees <= 400:
  rooms += 14
  1. 4
  2. 15
  3. 18

if-elif-else statements

Elifs can be chained with an if-else statement to create a more complex decision statement. Ex: A program shows possible chess moves depending on the piece type. If the piece is a pawn, show moving forward one (or two) places. Else if the piece is a bishop, show diagonal moves. Else if . . . (finish for the rest of the pieces).

Checkpoint

Example: Possible chess moves

Concepts in Practice

Using elif within if-elif-else statements

6.
Given hour = 12, what is printed?
if hour < 8:
  print("Too early")
elif hour < 12:
  print("Good morning")
elif hour < 13:
  print("Lunchtime")
elif hour < 17:
  print("Good afternoon")
else:
  print("Too late")
  1. Good morning
  2. Lunchtime
  3. Good afternoon
  4. Too late
7.
Where can an elif statement be added?
_1_
if condition:
  # Body
  _2_
elif condition:
  # Body
_3_
else:
  # Body
_4_
  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
8.
Given x = -1 and y = -2, what is the final value of y?
if x < 0 and y < 0:
  y = 10
elif x < 0 and y > 0:
  y = 20
else:
  y = 30
  1. 10
  2. 20
  3. 30
9.
How could the following statements be rewritten as a chained statement?
if price < 9.99:
  order = 50
if 9.99 <= price < 19.99:
  order = 30
if price >= 19.99:
  order = 10
  1. if price < 9.99:
      order = 50
    else:
      order = 30
    order = 10
    
  2. if price < 9.99:
      order = 50
    elif price < 19.99:
      order = 30
    elif price == 19.99:
      order = 10
    
  3. if price < 9.99:
      order = 50
    elif price < 19.99:
      order = 30
    else:
      order = 10
    

Try It

Crochet hook size conversion

Write a program that reads in a crochet hook's US size and computes the metric diameter in millimeters. (A subset of sizes is used.) If the input does not match B-G, the diameter should be assigned with -1.0. Ex: If the input is D, the output is "3.25 mm".

Size conversions for US size: mm

  • B : 2.25
  • C : 2.75
  • D : 3.25
  • E : 3.5
  • F : 3.75
  • G : 4.0

Try It

Color wavelengths

Write a program that reads in an integer representing a visible light wavelength in nanometers. Print the corresponding color using the following inclusive ranges:

  • Violet: 380–449
  • Blue: 450–484
  • Cyan: 485–499
  • Green: 500–564
  • Yellow: 565–589
  • Orange: 590–624
  • Red: 625–750

Assume the input is within the visible light spectrum, 380-750 inclusive.

Given input:

    550

The output is:

    Green
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