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Elif Condition

  • The elif condition in Python is used to check multiple conditions after an if statement. It allows the program to make decisions between several possibilities. If the first condition is false, Python checks the elif condition. This helps in writing clean and efficient decision-making programs.

  • What is the elif Statement?

    The elif statement (short for else if) is used to check multiple conditions in sequence.

    • Python checks conditions from top to bottom

    • The first True condition is executed

    • Remaining conditions are skipped

    • If no condition is True, the else block runs (if present)

    👉 The elif ladder avoids writing multiple separate if statements.

    Why Use elif?

    Use elif when:

    • There are more than two possible outcomes

    • Multiple conditions must be tested

    • Only one block should execute

    • Code needs to be clean and readable

    Real-Life Examples

    Scenario

    Conditions

    Student grading

    A / B / C / Fail

    Traffic signals

    Red / Yellow / Green

    Menu selection

    Choice 1 / 2 / 3

    Salary slabs

    Low / Medium / High

    Syntax of elif Ladder

    General Syntax

    if condition1:

        statement(s)

    elif condition2:

        statement(s)

    elif condition3:

        statement(s)

    else:

        statement(s)


    Syntax Rules

    • if must come first

    • elif can be used multiple times

    • else is optional

    • Only one block executes

    • Indentation must be consistent

    Indentation Rules

    • Each block under if, elif, and else must be indented

    • All blocks should align vertically

    • Python usually uses 4 spaces

    Incorrect indentation leads to errors

    Flow of Execution (How Python Works)

    1. Python checks if condition

    2. If False → checks first elif

    3. Continues checking elif conditions

    4. Executes first True block

    5. Skips remaining conditions

    6. If none True → executes else

Student Grading Using elif Ladder

This program assigns grades to students based on their marks using the elif ladder. 

marks = 82

if marks >= 90:
    print("Grade: A")
elif marks >= 75:
    print("Grade: B")
elif marks >= 60:
    print("Grade: C")
elif marks >= 35:
    print("Grade: D")
else:
    print("Fail")

  • Explanation

    • Conditions are checked from top to bottom

    • marks >= 75 becomes True first

    • Only Grade B is printed

    Multiple Statements in elif

    Each elif block can contain multiple statements.

Student Result Evaluation Using elif

This program prints result and remarks using multiple statements inside each block. 

marks = 68

if marks >= 90:
    print("Excellent performance")
    print("Grade: A")
elif marks >= 60:
    print("Good performance")
    print("Grade: B")
else:
    print("Needs improvement")
    print("Grade: C")

  • Using Comparison Operators

    Common operators used in elif:

    Operator

    Meaning

    ==

    Equal

    !=

    Not equal

    >

    Greater

    <

    Less

    >=

    Greater or equal

    <=

    Less or equal


    Using String Conditions with elif

Traffic Signal Control Using elif

This program displays instructions based on traffic signal color. 

signal = "yellow"

if signal == "red":
    print("Stop")
elif signal == "yellow":
    print("Get Ready")
elif signal == "green":
    print("Go")
else:
    print("Invalid signal")

User Access Level Using elif Ladder

This program determines user access level based on role value. 

role = 2

if role == 1:
    print("Admin Access")
elif role == 2:
    print("Editor Access")
elif role == 3:
    print("Viewer Access")
else:
    print("No Access")

  • Where elif is Used?

    • Grading systems

    • Menu-driven programs

    • Role-based access

    • Status handling

    • Decision-making logic

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