Mastering Conditional Statements in Python

Published by Lance Adhikari on March 29, 2025 · 15 min read

Conditional statements are a powerful feature in Python that allow you to control the flow of your programs. Whether you're automating tasks, validating user input, or writing security scripts, learning how to use conditionals effectively is essential for any Python programmer. They make your code smarter by enabling it to make decisions based on logic and input.

What Are Conditional Statements?

A conditional statement checks if a specific condition is True or False. If it's True, Python runs the corresponding block of code. If it's False, Python moves on to check the next condition or skip the block entirely. These conditions often use comparison operators such as == (equal to), != (not equal to), > (greater than), < (less than), >= (greater than or equal to), and <= (less than or equal to). These allow you to create logical checks on numeric or string data.

Using if, else, and elif

The if statement begins every conditional block in Python. It's followed by a condition and a colon. If the condition evaluates to True, the indented block of code underneath it is executed. You can use elif (short for "else if") to check additional conditions, and else to define what should happen when none of the previous conditions are True.

                            
                            status = 500
                    
                            if status == 200:
                                print("OK")
                            elif status == 400:
                                print("Bad Request")
                            elif status == 500:
                                print("Internal Server Error")
                            else:
                                print("check other status")
                            
                        

You can add as many elif statements as needed, but there can only be one else block, and it must be placed at the end. These structures make your code more dynamic, especially when handling multiple outcomes, like server response codes or user permissions.

"Without control flow, a program is just a list. Conditional statements are what make it think." – Python Developer

Using Logical Operators

Python provides three logical operators—and, or, and not—which you can use to combine and manipulate multiple conditions:

• and – Requires both conditions to be True. Useful for checking if a number falls within a certain range or if two separate criteria are met.
• or – Requires at least one of the conditions to be True. Perfect for situations where multiple possible inputs are acceptable.
• not – Inverts the condition. If the condition is True, not turns it into False, and vice versa. Use this when you want to exclude specific conditions.

                            
                            # Using logical operators
                            if status >= 200 and status <= 226:
                                print("Successful response")
                    
                            if status == 100 or status == 102:
                                print("Informational response")
                    
                            if not(status >= 200 and status <= 226):
                                print("Check status")
                            
                        

Best Practices

When writing conditionals in Python, remember to:

• Always end your conditional headers (if, elif, else) with a colon (:).
• Indent the body consistently to avoid syntax errors and improve readability.
• Use parentheses when dealing with multiple conditions, especially with the not operator, to ensure proper evaluation order.
• Keep conditions simple and readable. Complex logic can be broken into multiple conditionals or helper functions.

Visualizing Conditionals

To better understand how conditionals flow in Python, try using the following visual aids:

• Code Screenshot: Show a block of code using if, elif, and else to respond to user input.
• Flowchart: Create a diagram showing how Python evaluates each condition and which path the code follows.
• Real-World Example: Use an API request handler as a sample case—based on response codes, take different actions.

Key Takeaways

Conditional statements allow your programs to make decisions and behave differently based on dynamic data. With if, elif, and else, you can design logic that covers every possible outcome. And with logical operators like and, or, and not, you can build powerful, complex conditions with ease.

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