Chapter 3 Selections

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015
 Motivations
If you assigned a negative value for radius in
Listing 2.2, ComputeAreaWithConsoleInput.java,
the program would print an invalid result. If the
radius is negative, you don't want the program to
compute the area. How can you deal with this
situation?

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 2
 Objectives
 To declare boolean variables and write Boolean expressions using relational
operators (§3.2).
 To implement selection control using one-way if statements (§3.3).
 To implement selection control using two-way if-else statements (§3.4).
 To implement selection control using nested if and multi-way if statements
(§3.5).
 To avoid common errors and pitfalls in if statements (§3.6).
 To generate random numbers using the Math.random() method (§3.7).
 To program using selection statements for a variety of examples
(SubtractionQuiz, BMI, ComputeTax) (§§3.7–3.9).
 To combine conditions using logical operators (&&, ||, and !) (§3.10).
 To program using selection statements with combined conditions (LeapYear,
Lottery) (§§3.11–3.12).
 To implement selection control using switch statements (§3.13).
 To write expressions using the conditional expression (§3.14).
 To examine the rules governing operator precedence and associativity (§3.15).
 To apply common techniques to debug errors (§3.16).

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015
 The boolean Type and Operators
Often in a program you need to compare two
values, such as whether i is greater than j. Java
provides six comparison operators (also known
as relational operators) that can be used to
compare two values. The result of the
comparison is a Boolean value: true or false.

boolean b = (1 > 2);

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 4
 Relational Operators
Java Mathematics Name Example Result
Operator Symbol (radius is 5)

< < less than radius < 0 false

<= ≤ less than or equal to radius <= 0 false
> > greater than radius > 0 true
>= ≥ greater than or equal to radius >= 0 true
== = equal to radius == 0 false
!= ≠ not equal to radius != 0 true

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 5
Problem: A Simple Math Learning Tool
This example creates a program to let a first grader
practice additions. The program randomly
generates two single-digit integers number1 and
number2 and displays a question such as “What is
7 + 9?” to the student. After the student types the
answer, the program displays a message to indicate
whether the answer is true or false.

Animation
AdditionQuiz Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 6
 One-way if Statements
if (radius >= 0) {
area = radius * radius * PI;
if (boolean-expression) { System.out.println("The area"
statement(s); + " for the circle of radius "
}
+ radius + " is " + area);
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 7
 Note
if i > 0 { if (i > 0) {
System.out.println("i is positive"); System.out.println("i is positive");
} }
(a) Wrong (b) Correct

if (i > 0) { if (i > 0)
System.out.println("i is positive"); Equivalent System.out.println("i is positive");
}

(a) (b)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 8
 Simple if Demo

Write a program that prompts the user to enter an integer. If the

number is a multiple of 5, print HiFive. If the number is divisible
by 2, print HiEven.

Animation
SimpleIfDemo Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 9
 The Two-way if Statement
if (boolean-expression) {
statement(s)-for-the-true-case;
}
else {
statement(s)-for-the-false-case;
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 10
 if-else Example
if (radius >= 0) {
area = radius * radius * 3.14159;

System.out.println("The area for the “

+ “circle of radius " + radius +
" is " + area);
}
else {
System.out.println("Negative input");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 11
 Multiple Alternative if Statements

if (score >= 90.0) if (score >= 90.0)

System.out.print("A"); System.out.print("A");
else else if (score >= 80.0)
if (score >= 80.0) Equivalent System.out.print("B");
System.out.print("B"); else if (score >= 70.0)
else System.out.print("C");
if (score >= 70.0) else if (score >= 60.0)
System.out.print("C"); System.out.print("D");
else else
if (score >= 60.0) System.out.print("F");
System.out.print("D"); This is better
else
System.out.print("F");

(a) (b)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 12
 Multi-Way if-else Statements

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 13
animation
Trace if-else statement
Suppose score is 70.0 The condition is false

if (score >= 90.0)

System.out.print("A");
else if (score >= 80.0)
System.out.print("B");
else if (score >= 70.0)
System.out.print("C");
else if (score >= 60.0)
System.out.print("D");
else
System.out.print("F");

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 14
animation
Trace if-else statement
Suppose score is 70.0 The condition is false

if (score >= 90.0)

System.out.print("A");
else if (score >= 80.0)
System.out.print("B");
else if (score >= 70.0)
System.out.print("C");
else if (score >= 60.0)
System.out.print("D");
else
System.out.print("F");

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 15
animation
Trace if-else statement
Suppose score is 70.0 The condition is true

if (score >= 90.0)

System.out.print("A");
else if (score >= 80.0)
System.out.print("B");
else if (score >= 70.0)
System.out.print("C");
else if (score >= 60.0)
System.out.print("D");
else
System.out.print("F");

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 16
animation
Trace if-else statement
Suppose score is 70.0 grade is C

if (score >= 90.0)

System.out.print("A");
else if (score >= 80.0)
System.out.print("B");
else if (score >= 70.0)
System.out.print("C");
else if (score >= 60.0)
System.out.print("D");
else
System.out.print("F");

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 17
animation
Trace if-else statement
Suppose score is 70.0 Exit the if statement

if (score >= 90.0)

System.out.print("A");
else if (score >= 80.0)
System.out.print("B");
else if (score >= 70.0)
System.out.print("C");
else if (score >= 60.0)
System.out.print("D");
else
System.out.print("F");

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 18
 Note
The else clause matches the most recent if clause in the
same block.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 19
 Note, cont.
Nothing is printed from the preceding statement. To
force the else clause to match the first if clause, you must
add a pair of braces:
int i = 1;
int j = 2;
int k = 3;
if (i > j) {
if (i > k)
System.out.println("A");
}
else
System.out.println("B");
This statement prints B.
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 20
 Common Errors
Adding a semicolon at the end of an if clause is a common
mistake.
if (radius >= 0); Wrong
{
area = radius*radius*PI;
System.out.println(
"The area for the circle of radius " +
radius + " is " + area);
}
This mistake is hard to find, because it is not a compilation error
or a runtime error, it is a logic error.
This error often occurs when you use the next-line block style.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 21
 TIP
if (number % 2 == 0) Equivalent
even = true; boolean even
else = number % 2 == 0;
even = false;
(a) (b)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 22
 CAUTION
Equivalent if (even)
if (even == true)
System.out.println( System.out.println(
"It is even."); "It is even.");
(a) (b)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 23
Problem: An Improved Math Learning Tool
This example creates a program to teach a
first grade child how to learn subtractions.
The program randomly generates two single-
digit integers number1 and number2 with
number1 >= number2 and displays a question
such as “What is 9 – 2?” to the student. After
the student types the answer, the program
displays whether the answer is correct.
SubtractionQuiz Run
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 24
 Problem: Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of health on
weight. It can be calculated by taking your weight
in kilograms and dividing by the square of your
height in meters. The interpretation of BMI for
people 16 years or older is as follows:
BMI Interpretation

BMI < 18.5 Underweight

18.5 <= BMI < 25.0 Normal
25.0 <= BMI < 30.0 Overweight
30.0 <= BMI Obese

ComputeAndInterpretBMI Run
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 25
 Problem: Computing Taxes
The US federal personal income tax is calculated
based on the filing status and taxable income.
There are four filing statuses: single filers, married
filing jointly, married filing separately, and head of
household. The tax rates for 2009 are shown below.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 26
 Problem: Computing Taxes, cont.
if (status == 0) {
// Compute tax for single filers
}
else if (status == 1) {
// Compute tax for married file jointly
// or qualifying widow(er)
}
else if (status == 2) {
// Compute tax for married file separately
}
else if (status == 3) {
// Compute tax for head of household
}
else {
// Display wrong status
}

ComputeTax Run
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 27
 Logical Operators
Operator Name Description

! not logical negation

&& and logical conjunction

|| or logical disjunction

^ exclusive or logical exclusion

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 28
 Truth Table for Operator !

p !p Example (assume age = 24, weight = 140)

true false !(age > 18) is false, because (age > 18) is true.

false true !(weight == 150) is true, because (weight == 150) is false.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 29
 Truth Table for Operator &&
p1 p2 p1 && p2 Example (assume age = 24, weight = 140)

false false false (age <= 18) && (weight < 140) is false, because (age >

18) and (weight <= 140) are both false.

false true false

false
true false (age > 18) && (weight > 140) is false, because (weight

> 140) is false.

true
true true (age > 18) && (weight >= 140) is true, because both

(age > 18) and (weight >= 140) are true.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 30
 Truth Table for Operator ||

p1 p2 p1 || p2 Example (assume age = 24, weihgt = 140)

false false false

false true true (age > 34) || (weight <= 140) is true, because (age > 34)

is false, but (weight <= 140) is true.

true
true false (age > 14) || (weight >= 150) is false, because

(age > 14) is true.

true
true true
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 31
 Truth Table for Operator ^
p1 p2 p1 ^ p2 Example (assume age = 24, weight = 140)

false false false (age > 34) ^ (weight > 140) is true, because (age > 34) is false

and (weight > 140) is false.

false true true (age > 34) ^ (weight >= 140) is true, because (age > 34) is false

but (weight >= 140) is true.

true
true false (age > 14) ^ (weight > 140) is true, because (age > 14) is

true and (weight > 140) is false.

false
true true
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 32
 Examples
Here is a program that checks whether a number is divisible by 2
and 3, whether a number is divisible by 2 or 3, and whether a
number is divisible by 2 or 3 but not both:

TestBooleanOperators Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 33
 Examples
System.out.println("Is " + number + " divisible by 2 and 3? " +
((number % 2 == 0) && (number % 3 == 0)));

System.out.println("Is " + number + " divisible by 2 or 3? " +

((number % 2 == 0) || (number % 3 == 0)));

System.out.println("Is " + number +

TestBooleanOperators
" divisible by 2 or 3, but not both? " +
((number % 2 == 0) ^ (number % 3 == 0))); Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 34
Companion
Website

The & and | Operators

Supplement III.B, “The & and | Operators”

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 35
Companion
Website

The & and | Operators

If x is 1, what is x after this
expression?
(x > 1) & (x++ < 10)

If x is 1, what is x after this

expression?
(1 > x) && ( 1 > x++)

How about (1 == x) | (10 > x++)?

(1 == x) || (10 > x++)?
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 36
 Problem: Determining Leap Year?
This program first prompts the user to enter a year as
an int value and checks if it is a leap year.
A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4 but not by
100, or it is divisible by 400.
(year % 4 == 0 && year % 100 != 0) || (year % 400
== 0)

LeapYear Run
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 37
 Problem: Lottery
Write a program that randomly generates a lottery of a two-
digit number, prompts the user to enter a two-digit number,
and determines whether the user wins according to the
following rule:
• If the user input matches the lottery in exact order, the
award is $10,000.
• If the user input matches the lottery, the award is
$3,000.
• If one digit in the user input matches a digit in the
lottery, the award is $1,000.

Lottery Run

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 38
 switch Statements
switch (status) {
case 0: compute taxes for single filers;
break;
case 1: compute taxes for married file jointly;
break;
case 2: compute taxes for married file separately;
break;
case 3: compute taxes for head of household;
break;
default: System.out.println("Errors: invalid status");
System.exit(1);
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 39
switch Statement Flow Chart

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 40
 switch Statement Rules
The switch-expression
must yield a value of char, switch (switch-expression) {
byte, short, or int type and
must always be enclosed case value1: statement(s)1;
in parentheses. break;
case value2: statement(s)2;
The value1, ..., and valueN must break;
have the same data type as the …
value of the switch-expression.
The resulting statements in the case valueN: statement(s)N;
case statement are executed when break;
the value in the case statement default: statement(s)-for-default;
matches the value of the switch-
}
expression. Note that value1, ...,
and valueN are constant
expressions, meaning that they
cannot contain variables in the
expression, such as 1 + x.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 41
 switch Statement Rules
The keyword break is optional, switch (switch-expression) {
but it should be used at the end of
case value1: statement(s)1;
each case in order to terminate the
remainder of the switch statement. break;
If the break statement is not case value2: statement(s)2;
present, the next case statement
will be executed. break;
…
case valueN: statement(s)N;
The default case, which is break;
optional, can be used to perform default: statement(s)-for-default;
actions when none of the
specified cases matches the }
switch-expression.
When the value in a case statement matches the value
of the switch-expression, the statements starting from
this case are executed until either a break statement or
the end of the switch statement is reached.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 42
animation

Trace switch statement

Suppose day is 2:

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 43
animation

Trace switch statement

Match case 2

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 44
animation

Trace switch statement

Fall through case 3

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 45
animation

Trace switch statement

Fall through case 4

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 46
animation

Trace switch statement

Fall through case 5

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 47
animation

Trace switch statement

Encounter break

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 48
animation

Trace switch statement

Exit the statement

switch (day) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
case 4:
case 5: System.out.println("Weekday"); break;
case 0:
case 6: System.out.println("Weekend");
}

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 49
 Problem: Chinese Zodiac
Write a program that prompts the user to enter a year
and displays the animal for the year.

ChineseZodiac Run
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 50
 Conditional Expressions
if (x > 0)
y=1
else
y = -1;

is equivalent to

y = (x > 0) ? 1 : -1;
(boolean-expression) ? expression1 : expression2

Ternary operator
Binary operator
Unary operator
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 51
 Conditional Operator
if (num % 2 == 0)
System.out.println(num + “is even”);
else
System.out.println(num + “is odd”);

System.out.println(
(num % 2 == 0)? num + “is even” :
num + “is odd”);

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 52
 Conditional Operator, cont.
boolean-expression ? exp1 : exp2

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 53
 Operator Precedence
 var++, var--
 +, - (Unary plus and minus), ++var,--var
 (type) Casting
 ! (Not)
 *, /, % (Multiplication, division, and remainder)
 +, - (Binary addition and subtraction)
 <, <=, >, >= (Relational operators)
 ==, !=; (Equality)
 ^ (Exclusive OR)
 && (Conditional AND) Short-circuit AND
 || (Conditional OR) Short-circuit OR
 =, +=, -=, *=, /=, %= (Assignment operator)

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 54
 Operator Precedence and Associativity
The expression in the parentheses is evaluated first.
(Parentheses can be nested, in which case the expression
in the inner parentheses is executed first.) When
evaluating an expression without parentheses, the
operators are applied according to the precedence rule and
the associativity rule.

If operators with the same precedence are next to each

other, their associativity determines the order of
evaluation. All binary operators except assignment
operators are left-associative.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 55
 Operator Associativity
When two operators with the same precedence
are evaluated, the associativity of the operators
determines the order of evaluation. All binary
operators except assignment operators are left-
associative.
a – b + c – d is equivalent to ((a – b) + c) – d
Assignment operators are right-associative.
Therefore, the expression
a = b += c = 5 is equivalent to a = (b += (c = 5))

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 56
 Example
Applying the operator precedence and associativity rule,
the expression 3 + 4 * 4 > 5 * (4 + 3) - 1 is evaluated as
follows:

3 + 4 * 4 > 5 * (4 + 3) - 1
(1) inside parentheses first
3 + 4 * 4 > 5 * 7 – 1
(2) multiplication
3 + 16 > 5 * 7 – 1
(3) multiplication
3 + 16 > 35 – 1
(4) addition
19 > 35 – 1
(5) subtraction
19 > 34
(6) greater than
false
Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 57
Companion
Website
Operand Evaluation Order
Supplement III.A, “Advanced discussions on
how an expression is evaluated in the JVM.”

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 58
 Debugging
Logic errors are called bugs. The process of finding and
correcting errors is called debugging. A common approach
to debugging is to use a combination of methods to narrow
down to the part of the program where the bug is located.
You can hand-trace the program (i.e., catch errors by
reading the program), or you can insert print statements in
order to show the values of the variables or the execution
flow of the program. This approach might work for a
short, simple program. But for a large, complex program,
the most effective approach for debugging is to use a
debugger utility.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 59
 Debugger
Debugger is a program that facilitates debugging.
You can use a debugger to

Execute a single statement at a time.

Trace into or stepping over a method.
Set breakpoints.
Display variables.
Display call stack.
Modify variables.

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 60
Companion
Website Debugging in NetBeans

Supplement II.E, Learning Java Effectively with

NetBeans

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 61
Companion
Website Debugging in Eclipse

Supplement II.G, Learning Java Effectively with

Eclipse

Liang, Introduction to Java Programming, Tenth Edition, Global Edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2015 62