Java Reference
In-Depth Information
55. Do not place a semicolon immediately following an if , for , or
while condition
Do not use a semicolon after an if , for , or while condition because it typically indicates
programmer error and can result in unexpected behavior.
Noncompliant Code Example
Inthisnoncompliantcodeexample,asemicolonisusedimmediatelyfollowingan if con-
dition.
if (a == b); {
/* ... */
}
The statements in the apparent body of the if statement are always evaluated, regard-
less of the result of the condition expression.
Compliant Solution
Thiscompliantsolutioneliminatesthesemicolonandensuresthatthebodyofthe if state-
ment is executed only when the condition expression is true:
if (a == b) {
/* ... */
}
Applicability
Placing a semicolon immediately following an if , for , or while condition may result in
unexpected behavior.
Bibliography
[Hatton 1995]
§2.7.2, “Errors of Omission and Addition”
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