4.8. Unit 3 - Summary

In this chapter you learned about conditionals. Conditionals are used to execute code when a boolean expression is true or false. A boolean expression is one that is either true or false like x > 0.

4.8.1. Concept Summary

• Block of statements - One or more statements enclosed in an open curly brace { and a closing curly brace }.

• Boolean expression - A mathematical or logical expression that is either true or false.

• compound Boolean expressions - A Boolean expression with two or more conditions joined by a logical and && or a logical or ||.

• conditional - Used to execute code only if a Boolean expression is true.

• DeMorgan’s Laws - Rules about how to distribute a negation on a complex conditional.

• logical and - Used in compound boolean expressions that are true if both conditions are true.

• logical or - Used in compound boolean expressions that are true if one of the conditions is true.

• negation - turns a true statement false and a false statement true

• short circuit evaluation - The type of evaluation used for logical and (&&) and logical or (||) expressions. If the first condition is false in a compound boolean expression joined with a logical and, then the second condition won’t be evaluated. If the first condition is true in a compound boolean expression joined with a logical or then the second condition won’t be evaluate.

4.8.2. Java Keyword Summary

• if (Boolean expression) - used to start a conditional statement. This is followed by a statement or a block of statements that will be executed if the Boolean expression is true.

• else - used to execute a statement or block of statements if the Boolean expression on the if part was false.

• else if (Boolean expression) - used to have 3 or more possible outcomes such as if x is equal, x is greater than, or x is less than some value. It will only execute if the condition in the ‘if’ was false and the condition in the else if is true.

4.8.3. Vocabulary Practice

3-8-1: Drag the definition from the left and drop it on the correct concept on the right. Click the "Check Me" button to see if you are correct Review the summaries above.
• joins two conditions and it will only be true if both of the conditions are true
• logical and
• used to execute code only when a Boolean condition is true
• conditional
• an expression that is either true or false
• Boolean expression
• an expression with two or more expressions joined together with logical ands or ors
• compound boolean expression

3-8-2: Drag the definition from the left and drop it on the correct method on the right. Click the "Check Me" button to see if you are correct. Review the summaries above.
• used to execute code when at least one of two conditions is true
• logical or
• one or more statements enclosed in a open curly brace and a close curly brace
• block(s) of statements
• used to start a conditional and execute code if a condition is true
• if
• used to distribute a negation on a compound boolean expression
• DeMorgan's Laws

For more practice, see this Quizlet.

4.8.4. Common Mistakes

• Using = instead of == in ifs. Remember that = is used to assign values and == is used to test. ifs always use ==.

• Putting a ; at the end of if (test);. Remember that the if statement ends after if (test) statement; Or better yet, always use curly braces if (test) { statements; }.

• Using two if’s one after the other instead of an if and else.

• Trouble with compound boolean expressions which are two or more Boolean expressions joined by && or ||.

• Not understanding that || is an inclusive-or where one or both conditions must be true.

• Trouble with understanding or applying negation (!). See the section on DeMorgan’s Laws.

• Not understanding short circuit evaluation which is that if evaluation of the first Boolean expression is enough to determine the truth of a complex conditional the second expression will not be evaluated.

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