Javascript Guide: Conditional Statements

if/else

if/else statements are how programs process yes/no questions programmatically. If the first condition evaluates to true, then the program will run the first block of code. Otherwise, it will run the else block.

let weather = "rainy";
if(weather === "rainy") {
    console.log("Don't forget an umbrella today!");
}
else {
    console.log("It might be nice out today"!); 
}

Output:

Don't forget an umbrella today!

else if

else if statements are used to add more conditions to an if/else statement.

let weather = "sunny";
if(weather === "rainy") {
    console.log("Don't forget an umbrella!");
} else if (weather === "sunny"){
    console.log("Let's grab some sunscreen!");
} else {
    console.log("It might be nice out today"!); 
}

Output:

Let's grab some sunscreen!

True and False values

All JavaScript values have a truthy or falsy value. Declared variables are automatically given a truthy value unless the variable value contains any of the following:

• false

• 0 and -0

• “” and ‘’ (empty strings)

• null

• undefined

• NaN (not a number)

Note: To change a value from truthy to falsy and vice versa, use the following symbol: !

console.log(!undefined);

Output:

true

Comparison Operators

Less than (<**), greater than (**>), less than or equal to (<=**), and greater than or equal to (**>=) symbols are used to compare values. Three equal signs (===) are used to check if the values are equal in value and type. An exclamation with two equal signs (!==) is used to check if two values do not equal each other. The comparisons evaluate to a boolean value (true or false).

console.log(8 !== 8);
console.log(5 <= 9);
console.log(true === "true");  

Output:

false
true
false 

Logical Operators

Logical operators allow us to determine if both or either of the compared values are truthy or falsy.

Use && to check if both values are true. Use || to check if either of the values is true.

let num = 16;
if(num > 15 && num < 17) {
    console.log("Your number is a perfect square!");
}

Output:

Your number is a perfect square!

switch

A collection of case statements that are compared to the switch condition and evaluated when the condition and case are true. A break is used between the cases to prevent additional execution. A default case gets evaluated when none of the cases are true. A switch statement accomplishes the same task an if/else if/else does in shorter lines of code.

let color = "green";

switch(color) {
    case "orange":
        console.log("A mix of red and yellow");
        break;
    case "green":
        console.log("A mix of blue and yellow");
        break;
    default:
        console.log("Not sure about this one!");
        break;
}

Output:

A mix of blue and yellow

Ternary Operator

A ternary operator is a shorthand syntax for an if/else statement.

The first expression after the ? executes when the condition evaluates to true, and the second expression executes when the condition evaluates to false.

let temperature = 190; 

temperature >= 212 ? console.log("It has boiled!") : console.log("It hasn't reached boiling temperature yet.");

Output:

It hasn't reached boiling temperature yet.