UNIT – 3

1. What is Decision Making in Programming?

Definition:
Decision making allows a program to choose different paths of execution based on the
outcome of a condition or expression. It enables dynamic behavior where the program does
not always follow the same path, but instead can make decisions based on input, logic, or
data.

Why is it important?
• Allows conditional logic (e.g., if user is above 18, allow voting)
• Makes programs smarter, interactive, and flexible
• Allows validation, branching, switching options, etc.

2. Branching Statements in C
C provides the following decision-making statements:

Statement Purpose

if Executes a block only if condition is true

if...else Executes one block if true, another if false

else if ladder Tests multiple conditions

nested if Multiple if inside another if

switch Select one case from many

goto Jumps to a labeled part of the code

2.1 IF Statement

Definition:
An if statement is used to check a condition. If the condition is true, the code inside it is
executed.

Syntax:
c
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if (condition) {
// code to execute if condition is true
}

Example:
c
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int age = 20;
if (age >= 18) {
printf("You are eligible to vote.");
}

Use Case:
• Checking age, login status, balance > 0, etc.

2.2 IF-ELSE Statement

Definition:
Used when you want to perform one task if condition is true, and another if false.

Syntax:
c
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if (condition) {
// true block
} else {
// false block
}

Example:
c
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int marks = 70;
if (marks >= 40) {
printf("Pass");
} else {
printf("Fail");
}

Use Case:
• Result, login valid/invalid, yes/no options.

2.3 Nested IF Statement

Definition:
An if-statement inside another if-statement. Useful for hierarchical conditions.

Syntax:
c
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if (condition1) {
if (condition2) {
// code
}
}

Example:
c
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if (marks >= 60) {
if (marks >= 90) {
printf("Grade A");
} else {
printf("Grade B");
}
}

2.4 ELSE IF Ladder

Definition:
Used to test multiple conditions in sequence. The first true condition executes, others are
skipped.

Syntax:
c
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if (condition1) {
// code1
} else if (condition2) {
// code2
} else {
// default code
}

Example:
c
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int marks = 85;
if (marks >= 90) printf("Grade A+");
else if (marks >= 80) printf("Grade A");
else if (marks >= 70) printf("Grade B");
else printf("Fail");

2.5 SWITCH Statement

Definition:
Efficient way to select one option among many based on a single variable.

Syntax:
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switch (expression) {
case value1:
// code
break;
case value2:
// code
break;
default:
// default code
}

Example:
c
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int choice = 2;
switch (choice) {
case 1: printf("Start"); break;
case 2: printf("Pause"); break;
case 3: printf("Stop"); break;
default: printf("Invalid Choice");
}

2.6 GOTO Statement

Definition:
goto is used to jump directly to another part of the program.

Note: Use of goto is discouraged as it makes code hard to follow.

Syntax:
c
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goto label;
// ...code...
label:
// code here

Example:
c
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int a = 1;
if (a < 2)
goto skip;
printf("This will be skipped.");
skip:
printf("You jumped here!");

PART 2: Decision Making and Looping

3. Introduction to Looping in C

Definition:
Looping means repeating a set of instructions until a condition becomes false. It helps in
automating repetitive tasks like printing 1 to 100, calculating sum, generating tables, etc.

4. Types of Loops in C

Loop Type Condition Minimum Execution Best Use

while pre-check 0 or more unknown repeats

do-while post-check 1 or more menus/input

for pre-check 0 or more fixed repeat

4.1 WHILE Loop

Syntax:
c
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while (condition) {
// code
}

Example:
c
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int i = 1;
while (i <= 5) {
printf("%d ", i);
i++;
}

4.2 DO-WHILE Loop

Definition:
do-while executes at least once. Condition is checked after running the loop.

Syntax:
c
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do {
// code
} while (condition);

Example:
c
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int i = 1;
do {
printf("%d ", i);
i++;
} while (i <= 5);

4.3 FOR Loop

Definition:
for is used when number of iterations is predefined or known.

Syntax:
c
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for (initialization; condition; update) {
// code
}

Example:
c
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for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
printf("%d ", i);
}

4.4 BREAK Statement

Definition:
Breaks out of a loop/switch prematurely.

Example:
c
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for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
if (i == 5) break;
printf("%d ", i);
}

4.5 CONTINUE Statement

Definition:
Skips current iteration and jumps to the next.

Example:
c
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for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
if (i == 3) continue;
printf("%d ", i);
}

4.6 NESTED Loops

Definition:
Loop inside another loop, used for patterns, matrices, grids.

Example:
c
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for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
for (int j = 1; j <= 2; j++) {
printf("(%d,%d) ", i, j);
}
}

Summary
 • IF, IF-ELSE: One-time decisions
• SWITCH: Fixed multiple options
• WHILE: Run till unknown condition
• DO-WHILE: At least one time run
• FOR: Known times repetition
• BREAK: Early exit
• CONTINUE: Skip iteration

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