3.2

if Statements

AP Computer Science A

Basic if statement

java
if (condition) {
    // code runs ONLY if condition is true
}
java
int score = 85;

if (score >= 70) {
    System.out.println("You passed!");
}
// Output: You passed!
java
int score = 50;

if (score >= 70) {
    System.out.println("You passed!");  // skipped
}
System.out.println("Done");  // always runs
// Output: Done

How conditions work

java
int age = 16;

if (age >= 16) {          // 16 >= 16 → true → runs
    System.out.println("Can drive");
}

if (age >= 18) {          // 16 >= 18 → false → skipped
    System.out.println("Can vote");
}

Comparison operators in conditions

Multiple if statements

java
int temp = 75;

if (temp > 90) {
    System.out.println("Hot");
}
if (temp > 60) {
    System.out.println("Warm");      // prints
}
if (temp > 32) {
    System.out.println("Above freezing"); // prints
}

Tracing if statements

java
int x = 4;
int result = 0;

if (x > 0) {
    result += x;     // result = 4
}
if (x > 3) {
    result *= 2;     // result = 8
}
if (x > 5) {
    result += 10;    // skipped
}
System.out.println(result);

Curly braces matter

java
int x = 3;

if (x > 10)
    System.out.println("A");  // controlled by if — skipped
    System.out.println("B");  // NOT controlled by if — always runs!
java
// Good — clear and safe
if (x > 10) {
    System.out.println("A");
}

Comparing objects with if

java
String name = "Alice";

// CORRECT
if (name.equals("Alice")) {
    System.out.println("Found Alice!");
}

// WRONG — compares references, not content
if (name == "Alice") {
    // This might work sometimes but is unreliable!
}

Complete example: Grade checker

java
public class GradeChecker {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int score = 87;
        String message = "";
        
        if (score >= 90) {
            message = "Excellent!";
        }
        if (score >= 80) {
            message = "Good job!";
        }
        if (score >= 70) {
            message = "Passing";
        }
        
        System.out.println(message);  // "Passing"
    }
}

AP Exam Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Vocabulary