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Subgoals

Section 4.10 Worked Example: Nested If Statements

Subgoals for Evaluating Selection Statements.

  1. Diagram which statements go together
  2. For if statement, determine whether expression is true or false
  3. If true – follow true branch, if false – follow else branch or do nothing if no else branch

Subsection 4.10.1

You can watch this video or read through the content below it.
Given the following declarations:
int alpha = 2, beta = 1, delta = 3, eta = 0, gamma = 0;

double omega = 2.5, theta = -1.3, kappa = 3.0, lambda = 0.0, rho = 0.0;
Evaluate these statements and determine the value of all variables used.
if (omega < kappa)
{
    if (alpha < delta)
        eta = 5;
    if (alpha < eta)
        gamma = 4;
}
rho = -1.0;

Subsection 4.10.2 SG1: Diagram which statements go together.

In this diagram, the first thing to note is the parent/outer if-statement highlighted in blue.
Inside the true branch of the parent/outer if-statement, there are two sequential if-statements.
The final single statement is highlighted in green, and it is not part of the nested if-statements, so it will always be executed.
Figure 4.10.1.

Subsection 4.10.3 SG2: For if statement, determine whether true or false

Because there are 2 sequential if-statements, we start with the first one, and then repeat SG2 and SG3 for the other.
First we evaluate (omega < kappa):
(2.5 < 3.0) is TRUE

Subsection 4.10.4 SG3: If true, follow true branch. If false, follow else branch (OR do nothing if there is no else branch).

The true branch contains two sequential if-statements, so we must repeat the SG2 and SG3 for each of them.
Figure 4.10.2.

Subsection 4.10.5 SG2: For if statement, determine whether true or false

Start with the first if-statement in the inner sequence.
First we evaluate (alpha < delta):
(2 < 3) is TRUE

Subsection 4.10.6 SG3: If true, follow true branch. If false, follow else branch (OR do nothing if there is no else branch).

The condition is TRUE so we follow the true branch.
eta = 5;

Subsection 4.10.7 SG2: For if statement, determine whether true or false

Now we do the second if-statement in the inner sequence.
First we evaluate (alpha < eta):
(2 < 5) is TRUE

Subsection 4.10.8 SG3: If true, follow true branch. If false, follow else branch (OR do nothing if there is no else branch).

The condition is TRUE so we follow the true branch.
gamma = 4;
Next, the final sequential statement after the entire selection structure is always executed:
rho = -1.0;
Hint.
Answer: omega = 2.5, kappa = 3.0, alpha = 2, delta = 3, eta = 5, gamma = 4, rho = -1.0

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