Control Statements

C# Control Statements

Control statements in C# determine the flow of execution in a program based on conditions or loops. They allow decision-making, branching, and iteration.


Types of Control Statements

1. Conditional Statements

Used to execute specific code blocks based on a condition.

Statement

Description

Example

if

Executes if the condition is true.

if (x > 10) { Console.WriteLine("Yes"); }

else

Executes if the if condition is false.

else { Console.WriteLine("No"); }

else if

Tests another condition if previous if is false.

else if (x == 5) { ... }

switch

Selects one case to execute.

switch (choice) { case 1: ... break; }

Example:

int x = 10;
if (x > 15) {
    Console.WriteLine("Greater than 15");
} else if (x == 10) {
    Console.WriteLine("Equal to 10"); // Output: Equal to 10
} else {
    Console.WriteLine("Less than 10");
}

2. Looping Statements

Used to execute a block of code multiple times.

Statement

Description

Example

for

Loops a set number of times.

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) { ... }

while

Loops while the condition is true.

while (x < 10) { ... }

do-while

Executes first, then checks the condition.

do { ... } while (x < 10);

foreach

Iterates over a collection.

foreach (var item in list) { ... }

Example:


3. Jump Statements

Alter the normal flow of execution.

Statement

Description

Example

break

Exits a loop or switch statement.

if (i == 5) break;

continue

Skips the current iteration and continues.

if (i % 2 == 0) continue;

return

Exits the method and optionally returns a value.

return x;

goto

Transfers control to a labeled statement.

goto Label; Label: ...;

Example:


4. Exception Handling Statements

Handle errors during runtime.

Statement

Description

Example

try

Encapsulates code that may throw an exception.

try { int x = 10 / 0; }

catch

Handles exceptions thrown by try.

catch (Exception ex) { ... }

finally

Executes code regardless of exceptions.

finally { Console.WriteLine("End"); }

Example:


5. Selection Statements

Redirect execution based on conditions.

Statement

Description

Example

if-else

Executes code based on a true/false condition.

if (x > 10) { ... } else { ... }

switch

Executes one of many possible cases.

switch (value) { case 1: ... }

Example:


Summary

  • Conditional Statements: Control execution flow (if, else, switch).

  • Looping Statements: Repeat actions (for, while, foreach).

  • Jump Statements: Change flow (break, continue, return).

  • Exception Handling: Handle runtime errors (try, catch, finally).

  • Selection Statements: Branching based on multiple conditions.

Control statements are crucial for managing the logical flow of a program, enabling it to handle conditions, repeat tasks, and manage errors effectively.