# IF…ENDIF

> [HTML Version](if_endif_ctrl_struct.htm)

__

**IF <condition> \{THEN\}**

    <statements>

\{ELSEIF <condition>

    <statements>

\{ELSE 

    <statements>

**ENDIF**

****

This newer form of block-structured IF statement was originally introduced in BASIC_plus_, and later extended by A-Shell build 1125 to support the elseif clause. Advantages over the original if statement include:

•	No need to use colons to separate statements or ampersands to continue on to additional lines.

•	For conditions that divide more than two mutually exclusive ways, you can use as many optional _elseif_ clauses as you need.

•	Ability to nest statements (including other IF...ENDIF or other control structures within the clauses.)

**Compatability:** requires /X:2 or /RC. The A-Shell implementation is compatible with the BASIC_plus_ version at the source code level, except for the ELSEIF clause which is an A-Shell extension.

**Example**

if COST < 10 then

    PAY'METHOD = PM\_CASH

    PETTY'CASH -= COST

elseif COST < 100 then

    PAY'METHOD = PM\_CHECK

    CHECKING'ACCOUNT -= COST

elseif COST < 1000 then

    PAY'METHOD = PM\_CREDIT

else

    CALL BUY'LOTTERY'TICKET

    if TICKET = WINNER then

        CALL GET'AN'ACCOUNTANT()

    else

        CALL ROB'BANK()

    endif

endif



**Comments**

The compiler determines whether an if statement is of the original or new (block-structured form) by whether there is a statement following the condition prior to the end of the logical line. It is possible to insert old-style if statements into the body of new-style if..endif statements, but this goes against most tenets of style.

Once you get more than a couple of elseif clauses, you may find the conceptually-equivalent switch statement to be a better match.

Beware: elseif (one word) and else if (two words) are not equivalent\! The former marks the beginning of a/another mutually exclusive conditional clause that ends with either the next elseif, else, or endif. The latter marks the beginning of an _else_ clause, and within that clause, starts a new if statement. 

**Subtopics**

- [ELSEIF Clauses](elseifclauses.htm.md)