Conditional Logic

In order to make a DECISION, a program needs to use LOGIC expressions and CONDITIONAL statements.

True or False?

Execute following using a JavaScript file, or node

• 1 < 2
• 2 + 2 < 4
• 2 + 2 <= 4
• "anonymous".endsWith("us")
• "every journey".startsWith("a step")

Comparison Operators

Comparison Operators allow for the comparison of two values.

Every comparison EVALUATES to true OR false

MDN: comparison operators

Conditional Statements

The key word if is used to create a CONDITIONAL

The EXPRESSION following the if is the TEST

When the TEST evaluates to TRUE the code in the body runs

let age = 17;
if (age < 18) {
  console.log('Sorry, you cannot vote yet.');
}

MDN: Conditional Statements

What is True

Any VALUE or EXPRESSION that EVALUATES to a non-false value is EQUIVALENT to TRUE

// examples of true values and expressions
true
'Hello'
'false'
123 > 42
'     '
'456'.length
Infinity + Infinity
{ name: 'Grace Hopper' }
['blue', 'green']

• MDN: What is Truthy

What is False

The only VALUES considered EQUIVALENT to FALSE are listed below

false
null
undefined
''
0
-0
NaN

MDN: What is False

If..Else

The keyword else allows for a CONDITIONAL to BRANCH.

let age = 17;

if ( age >= 18 ) {
  console.log('You are allowed to vote.');
} else {
  console.log('Sorry, you cannot vote yet.');
}

If..Else Nesting

It is possible to nest CONDITIONAL statements, but it can become confusing.

let age = 17;

if (age >= 18 /* first test */) {
  if (hasPermission /* second test */) {
    console.log('You have special permission.');
  } else /* first else */ {
    console.log('You are allowed to vote.');
  } 
} else /* second else */ {
  console.log('Sorry, you cannot vote yet.');
}

If..Else..If

The keywords else if allow for the chaining of CONDITIONALs, which can be easier to understand.

let age = 17;

if (age >= 18) {
  console.log('You are allowed to vote.');
} else if (hasPermission) {
  console.log('You have special permission.');
} else {
  console.log('Sorry, you cannot vote yet.');
}

Logical Operators

You can make more complicated logical expressions using conjunctions:

MDN: Logical Operators

Logical Operator Examples

if (age >= 18 || hasPermission) {
  console.log('You are allowed to vote.');
} else {
  console.log('Sorry, you cannot vote yet.');
}

MDN: Logical Operators

LAB: Good Friend, Bad Friend

Create a file named hello-friend.js, that:

• Forcefully rebukes a person IF they are an enemy like:
  • darth vader, voldemort, palatine, or lex luthor
• Otherwise, greets a person warmly with their name as a friend.
• IF the name is exactly "darth vader", reply "Noooooo! That's impossible!"

function respond(name) {
  if (/* the name is an enemy */) {
    /* check if their name is 'darth vader' */
    /* tell them to go away */
  } else {
    /* greet them warmly by their name */
  }
}

Good Friend, Bad Friend Solution

function respond(name) {
  if (name === 'darth vader') {
    console.log('Noooooo! That is impossible!')
  } else if (name === 'voldemort' || name === 'palpatine' || name === 'lex luthor') {
    console.log('Be gone, you villain!!!')
  } else {
    console.log('Hello ' + name + ', you are a wonderful friend!');
  }
}

start();

Good Friend, Bad Friend List

Update the code in good-friend.js from the prior lab to use a list of enemy names, such as:

• darth vader, voldemort, palatine, or lex luthor

How could you use a while or for loop, in combination with conditionals to do this?

let enemyList = ['darth vader', 'voldemort', 'palatine', 'lex luthor'];

function respond(name) {
  if (/* the name is on the enemy list */) {
    /* check if their name is 'darth vader' */
    /* tell them to go away */
  } else {
    /* greet them warmly by their name */
  }
}