Embracing One-Sided Logic: Using the `if` Statement Without the `else`

Introduction:

In many programming languages, the `if` statement is commonly used in conjunction with the `else` clause, providing a dual-path decision-making structure. However, there are situations where the `else` clause is unnecessary or even undesirable. In this article, we will explore the concept of using the `if` statement without the `else` clause and showcase scenarios where one-sided logic can lead to cleaner, more efficient, and expressive code.

Understanding the `if` statement:

The `if` statement is a fundamental construct in programming, allowing developers to execute a block of code conditionally based on a boolean expression. The general syntax is as follows:

if condition:  
	# Code to execute when the condition is true

The `else` clause, if present, provides an alternative block of code to execute when the condition is false:

if condition:  
	# Code to execute when the condition is true
else:  
	# Code to execute when the condition is false

The power of one-sided logic:

While the `else` clause is valuable for implementing bifurcating decisions, there are scenarios where it adds unnecessary complexity and verbosity. Embracing one-sided logic can lead to more straightforward and elegant code in various situations.

Early Exits:

In functions or methods with multiple nested `if` statements, it’s common to handle special cases first and return early. Instead of using an `else` clause, we can explicitly handle the primary case first and then let the function exit immediately if the condition is met.

def compute_value(input):

	if input < 0:    
		return None # Early exit for invalid input    
	
	# Perform computations for valid input  
	return input * 2

Guard Clauses / Error handling:

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