SELECTIONS - Introduction to Java Programming: Comprehensive Version - page 82

if (score >= 90.0 )
System.out.print( "A" );
else
if (score >= 80.0 )
System.out.print( "B" );
else
if (score >= 70.0 )
System.out.print( "C" );
else
if (score >= 60.0 )
System.out.print( "D" );
else
System.out.print( "F" );

if (score >= 90.0 )
System.out.print( "A" );
else if (score >= 80.0 )
System.out.print( "B" );
else if (score >= 70.0 )
System.out.print( "C" );
else if (score >= 60.0 )
System.out.print( "D" );
else
System.out.print( "F" );

Equivalent

This is better

(a) (b)

F IGURE 3.3

A preferred format for multiple alternatives is shown in (b) using a multi-way
if-else statement.

The execution of this if statement proceeds as shown in Figure 3.4. The first condition
(score >= 90.0) is tested. If it is true , the grade is A . If it is false , the second condition
(score >= 80.0) is tested. If the second condition is true , the grade is B . If that condition
is false , the third condition and the rest of the conditions (if necessary) are tested until a
condition is met or all of the conditions prove to be false . If all of the conditions are false ,
the grade is F . Note that a condition is tested only when all of the conditions that come before
it are false .

false

score >= 90

false

true

score >= 80

grade is A

false

true

score >= 70

grade is B

false

true

score >= 60

grade is C

true

grade is D

grade is F

F IGURE 3.4

You can use a multi-way if-else statement to assign a grade.