Question

In this set of statements:

if(robot1Count < 12) {
    robot1Count++;
}
else if(robot1Count < 24) {
    robot1Count++;
}
else if(robot1Count < 36) {
    robot1Count++;
}
else if(robot1Count < 48) {
    robot1Count++;
}
else {
    robot1Count = 0;
}

Imagine this is in an infinite loop, would this loop traverse from 0 to 48, change to 0. The thing I’m wondering is if the first block is executed, would all the following blocks be ignored? Or should I change the second to else if(robot1Count < 24 && robot1Count >= 12) ? Or does that not matter?

Answer 1

The thing I’m wondering is if the first block is executed, would all the following blocks be ignored?

Yes, they will all be ignored. The conditions won’t even be evaluated. But you know, you could have tested this yourself!

if(robot1Count < 12) {
    printf("< 12");
    robot1Count++;
}
else if(robot1Count < 24) {
    printf(">= 12 && < 24");
    robot1Count++;
}
else if(robot1Count < 36) {
    printf(">= 24 && < 36");
    robot1Count++;
}
else if(robot1Count < 48) {
    printf(">= 36 && < 48");
    robot1Count++;
}
else {
    printf(">= 48");
    robot1Count = 0;
}

And then you can see which messages are printed to the console and then you’d know and feel what is going on!