Ifs instead of Elifs

Question

I used just all IFs. No ELIFs. Still works !

What is point of using ELIFs ?

P.s.: I have somehow ( I didn't know it is possible ) fast forwarded playback video of this lecture, but can't turn it back ! Please help.

shList = []

def show():
    print('Write things into your shopping list !')
    print('When you are done, write DONE !')
    print('When need help, write HELP !')
    print('When need to see list, write SHOW !')

def write():
    while True:
        inpSaved = input('> ')

        if inpSaved == 'DONE':
            break
        if inpSaved == 'HELP':
            show()
            continue
        if inpSaved == 'SHOW':
            full()
            continue            

        shList.append(inpSaved)
        print('Added ! List has', len(shList), 'items.')

def full():
    print('Here are your items: ')
    for item in shList:
        print(item)

show()
write()
full()

Answer 1 · 2015-02-02T13:32:03Z

February 2, 2015 1:32pm

Well, in the code you've written, there's no difference in using multiple if VS elif, because the conditions you're check for can only be one Truth.

But there's important distinction. Using elif, if one of the condition is met, it will stop and won't continue checking the rest of the elif chains; whereas using multiple if, it will always check all the conditions regardless.

def mul1(num):
    if num%3 == 0 && num%5==0:
        print("multiples of 3 & 5")
    if num%3 == 0:
        print("multiples of 3")
    if num%5 == 0:
        print("multiples of 5")

def mul2(num):
    if num%3 == 0 && num%5==0:
        print("multiples of 3 & 5")
    elif num%3 == 0:
        print("multiples of 3")
    elif num%5 == 0:
        print("multiples of 5")

mul1(15)
# => multiples of 3 & 5
# => multiples of 3
# => multiples of 5

mul2(15)
# => multiples of 3 & 5

Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Looking to learn something new?

silashunter

silashunter

Ifs instead of Elifs

1 Answer

William Li

William Li