In Python, the elif
clause provides a concise and readable way to handle multiple conditional branches in your code. In this article, we'll explore the versatility of Python's elif
clause, its syntax, and practical examples of its usage.
Exploring the elif Clause
The elif
clause, short for "else if," allows you to check for additional conditions after an initial if
statement. It provides an alternative path for execution when the preceding conditions are not met.
Example 1: Using elif with if Statements:
x = 5
if x > 10:
print("x is greater than 10")
elif x < 5:
print("x is less than 5")
else:
print("x is between 5 and 10")
In this example, if the condition x > 10
is not met, the elif
clause checks if x
is less than 5. If that condition is also not met, the code block under the else
clause is executed.
Using elif Chains
The elif
clause can be chained together to handle multiple conditions in sequence, providing a clear and concise way to express complex logic.