Python Control Flow: If, Elif, Else, and Loops Without Going Loopy

The Lowdown: Why You Need Control Flow

Today, we’re diving into Python’s control flow—basically, giving your code the power to make decisions (if-else) and handle repetition (loops) without you doing all the typing.

---

If-Else: Making Choices

With if, elif, and else, Python can check conditions and act based on the results. Here’s a quick rundown:

age = 20

if age >= 18:
    print("Adult")
elif age >= 13:
    print("Teenager")
else:
    print("Child")

This lets Python classify age groups without extra code clutter. It’s efficient and clear.

---

Loops: Because Typing the Same Thing Over is Painful

Rather than manually repeating actions, you can loop. Python’s for and while loops keep things clean and concise:

1. for loop: Use for lists, strings, or other sequences.

   for letter in "Python":
       print(letter)

Each letter in "Python" gets printed in its own turn.

1. while loop: Continues until a condition is no longer true.

   count = 0
   while count < 5:
       print(count)
       count += 1

Runs until count reaches 5.

---

Loop Superpowers: break and continue

• break: Exit a loop early.
• continue: Skip to the next iteration, useful for conditions.

---

Practical Example: Checking Access Privileges

Let’s say you need to confirm age and admin status for access. Here’s how:

age = 30
is_admin = True

if 18 <= age <= 60 and is_admin:
    print("Access Granted")
else:
    print("Access Denied")

Python handles the conditions in one neat check, minimizing code repetition.

---

Alternative Syntax: The One-Liner

Want a quick check without the full if-else structure? Use Python’s one-liner:

print("Adult") if age >= 18 else print("Child")

---

Final Thoughts: Control Your Code, Don’t Let It Control You

With if-else statements and loops in your toolkit, you’re all set to control your program’s flow like a pro. Just remember—endless loops are no fun.

Happy coding! 🥂