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Section 4.7 Worked Example: Sequential If-Else 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 4.7.1

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Given the following declarations:
int alpha = 2, beta = 1, delta = 3, eta = 0, gamma = 0;
Evaluate these statements and determine the value of all variables used.
if (alpha > beta)
{
   eta = alpha + 2;
   gamma = alpha + 5;
}
else
{
   eta = alpha  - 1;
   gamma = beta - 1;
}
if (alpha > delta)
   gamma = alpha + 5;
else
   gamma = beta + 5;
eta = beta + 2;

Subsection 4.7.2 SG1: Diagram which statements go together.

Take note of the three parts of the sequence.
The first if-else (with the curly braces) is highlighted in blue in the figure below.
The second if-else (with no curly braces) is highlighted in yellow.
The final single statement is highlighted in green, and it is not part of the sequential if-else statements, so it will always be executed.
Figure 4.7.1.

Subsection 4.7.3 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 (alpha > beta):
(2 > 1) is TRUE

Subsection 4.7.4 SG3: If true, follow true branch. If false, follow else branch (OR do nothing if there is no else branch).

eta = alpha + 2 = 2 + 2 = 4
gamma = alpha + 5 = 2 + 5 = 7
Figure 4.7.2.

Subsection 4.7.5 SG2: For if statement, determine whether true or false

Because there are 2 sequential if-statements, we need to repeat SG2 and SG3 for the second if-statement in the sequence.
First we evaluate (alpha > delta):
(2 > 3) is FALSE

Subsection 4.7.6 SG3: If true, follow true branch. If false, follow else branch (OR do nothing if there is no else branch).

The condition is FALSE so we follow the else branch.
gamma = beta + 5 = 1 + 5 = 6
Next sequential statement is always executed:
eta = beta + 2 = 1 + 2 = 3
Figure 4.7.3.
Hint.
Answer: alpha = 2, beta = 1, delta = 3, eta = 3, gamma = 6

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