if and else

The if statement

if runs its block only when the condition holds. Anything that becomes true or false works as a condition:

$score = 75; if ($score >= 60) { echo "Passed!"; }

elseif chains

elseif adds more branches, else catches everything left. Only the first matching branch runs:

$score = 85; if ($score >= 90) { echo "Excellent"; } elseif ($score >= 60) { echo "Passed"; } else { echo "Failed"; }

Nesting vs early return

Nested branches pile indentation and hide the main path. Returning early keeps the happy path flat:

function label(int $score): string { if ($score < 60) { return "Failed"; } return "Passed"; }

Guard clauses

Guard clauses push every rejection to the top of the function. What remains below is the real work, free of else blocks:

function admit(?string $name, int $age): string { if ($name === null) { return "No name given"; } if ($age < 18) { return "Too young"; } return "Welcome, " . $name . "!"; }

Next: switch and match

Article author: Arthur Isaev