---
title: "Control Statements in Java"
description: Selection, iteration, and jump statements along with method definitions in Java.
---
## Selection Statements

### if-else

```java
if (condition) {
    // executes when condition is true
} else {
    // executes when condition is false
}
```

### switch-case

```java
switch (variable) {
    case value1:
        // statements
        break;
    case value2:
        // statements
        break;
    default:
        // default statements
}
```

## Iteration Statements

- **`for` loop** — Known iteration count.
- **`while` loop** — Condition checked before each iteration.
- **`do-while` loop** — Executes at least once, condition checked after.
- **Enhanced `for` loop** — Iterates over arrays and collections.

## Jump Statements

- `break` — Exits the current loop or switch.
- `continue` — Skips the current iteration.
- `return` — Exits the current method.

## Methods

Methods define reusable blocks of code with a name, parameters, and a return type:

```java
returnType methodName(parameters) {
    // method body
    return value;
}
```

**Scope** determines where variables are accessible — at the method level or within a block (`{}`).

## Example

```java
// ControlDemo.java
// Demonstrates if-else and for loop in Java.

public class ControlDemo {
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		// If-else statement
		int number = 5;
		if (number > 0) {
			// Positive number
			System.out.println("Positive number");
		} else {
			// Non-positive number
			System.out.println("Non-positive number");
		}

		// For loop
		for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
			// Print i
			System.out.println("i = " + i);
		}
	}
}
```

> Full source: [`examples/03-control-statements/ControlDemo.java`](https://github.com/University-Of-Sri-Jayewardenepura/Java/blob/main/examples/03-control-statements/ControlDemo.java)