elif (a.k.a. else-if) Statement
elif is the Python else-if statement. It allows one to check multiple expressions for truth value and execute a block of code as soon as one of the conditions evaluates to true. Like the else, the elif statement is optional. However, unlike else, for which there can be at most one statement, there can be an arbitrary number of elif statements following an if.
Example
if expression1: expr1_true_suite elif expression2: expr2_true_suite elif expressionN: exprN_true_suite else: none_of_the_above_suite
At this time, Python does not currently support switch or case statements as in other languages. Python syntax does not present roadblocks to readability in the presence of a good number of if-elif statements.
Example
if (user.cmd == 'create'):
action = "create item"
valid = 1
elif (user.cmd == 'delete'):
action = 'delete item'
valid = 1
elif (user.cmd == 'quit'):
action = 'quit item'
valid = 1
else:
action = "invalid choice… try again!"
valid = 0
Python presents an elegant alternative to the switch/case statement in the for statement. Using for, one can “simulate” switches by cycling through each potential “case,” and take action when warranted.
