In this chapter you will learn:

1. What is Decision Making in Java?
2. What is If else Statement?
3. What is switch case statement?
4. Programming Example

What is Decision Making in Java?

Decision Making is a process in which a condition is evaluated and based on true/false result program gets direction to execute. Mainly If-else and switch case statements are responsible for decision making in Java.

What is If Else Statement?

If Else statement is primary decision making or branching control in Java. It tests a condition and return Boolean value (true or false) as output. If the output is true the if block executed otherwise else block gets executed. You can understand it with this picture.

Syntax

if(boolean_expression)
{
   /* statement(s) will execute if the boolean expression is true */
}
else
{
   /* statement(s) will execute if the boolean expression is false */
}

Programming Example

class IfElse
{
  public static void main(String[] args)
  {
    int num1, num2;
    num1=10;
    num2=12;
    
    //In this program Else block gets executed
    if(num1>num2)
    {
      System.out.println(num1 + "is greater than " + num2);
    }
    else
    {
      System.out.println(num2 + " is greater than " + num1);
    }
  }
}

Output

What is Switch Case Statement in Java?

If you have to use multiple if else statement you can use switch case statement instead of it. In switch case statement there is a condition inside a switch and a list of condition in case. When a case condition matches with switch condition the program executes the particular case condition.

Syntax

switch(expression){
    case value :
       //Statements
       break; //optional
    case value :
       //Statements
       break; //optional
    //You can have any number of case statements.
    default : //Optional
       //Statements
}

Programming Example

import java.util.Scanner;

class SwitchCase
{
  public static void main(String[] args)
  {
    String DayName;    
    System.out.println("Enter a Day Name in small letter:");
    
    //Getting Input from user
    Scanner scan=new Scanner(System.in);
    DayName=scan.nextLine();
    
    switch(DayName)
    {
      case "sunday":
      {
        System.out.println("wooo... hoooo.... It's Sunday");
        break;
      }
      case "monday":
      {
        System.out.println("oh no! Its Monday");
        break;
      }
      case "tuesday":
      {
        System.out.println("Again Tuesday");
        break;
      }
      case "wednesday":
      {
        System.out.println("Wednesday is so boring..");
        break;
      }
      case "thursday":
      {
        System.out.println("Thursday!!! Thursday!!! Thursday!!!");
        break;
      }
      case "friday":
      {
        System.out.println("It's Friday Now!!!");
        break;
      }
      case "saturday":
      {
        System.out.println("It's Saturday.. Party Night!!!");
        break;
      }
      default:
      {
        System.out.println("Invalid Day Name");
      }
    }
  }
}

Output

Summary