if...else Statement

An if...else statement chooses between two paths. Exactly one branch runs for each evaluation of the condition.

Use if condition { ... } else { ... } when you want one action for a true condition and another for a false condition. In Go, else follows the closing brace of the if block on the same line.

Only one of the two blocks executes, and then the program continues after the complete statement. This structure is useful for pass/fail decisions, stock availability and simple validation.

Follow this diagram before executing the example. Check where a value or decision changes what runs next.

This example is a complete program. Save it as main.go or paste it into the Go Playground.

Go code

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
	marks := 68
	if marks >= 40 {
		fmt.Println("Pass")
	} else {
		fmt.Println("Try again")
	}
	fmt.Println("Result checked")
}

Output

Pass
Result checked

The comparison 68 >= 40 is true, so Pass appears. Go skips the else block and then prints Result checked. With 32 marks, the alternative line would be printed.

• Avoid writing two separate if statements when the outcomes are mutually exclusive and form one choice.
• Put else on the same line as the preceding closing brace.

Change marks to 35 and explain the output. Then test exactly 40 to understand the >= boundary.

Tip: Edit the example above, predict the output, and run the modified code to test your reasoning.

You have practiced Go if...else Statement in a small, self-contained program. The important habit is to predict what runs, inspect the actual output and distinguish the language rule from the particular example.

Before continuing, make sure you can explain the program to someone who has not seen it, including the line that changes its result.