Else clause

As explained in Get Programming: Learn to code with Python

An else clause is an optional alternative branch that executes when preceding conditions are false or protected code completes without an exception.

num = int(input("Enter a number: "))                #1
if num > 0:                                         #2
    print("num is positive")                        #3
elif num < 0:                                       #4
    print("num is negative")                        #5
else:                                               #6
    print("num is zero")                            #7

How Get Programming: Learn to code with Python covers it

How deep it goes

Explains branch selection and optional else clauses, stopping short of implementation internals.

Examples

Demonstrates classifying an input number as positive, negative, or zero.

What it assumes

Assumes familiarity with writing a conditional statement and introduces how elif and else extend it.

What you can do after

Apply if-elif-else branches to choose one code block based on conditions.

How it connects

Connects else clauses to if statements, elif clauses, and conditional statements.

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Also explained in

• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Python How-ToAn else clause is an optional part of a Python try...except statement that runs when the protected try clause completes without raising an exception.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  The Quick Python Book, Fourth EditionAn else clause is the optional part of a try statement that executes only when its try block completes without raising an exception.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  The Well-Grounded Rubyist, Fourth EditionThe else keyword introduces the alternative branch of a conditional statement when preceding conditions do not succeed.
• 

  liveBookmanning.com
  Learn SQL in a Month of LunchesELSE is a procedural SQL control-flow keyword that introduces the fallback branch executed when preceding conditions are not satisfied.

Compare how 5 books explain else clause →

Related concepts

• conditional logicpart of · Conditional logic is a programming technique that selects execution paths, actions, or result values according to evaluated conditions.
• try-catch statementpart of · A try-catch statement is a control-flow construct that executes code under exception handling and transfers control to a matching handler when an exception is raised.
• loopuses · A loop is a programming control-flow construct that repeatedly executes a block of instructions according to an iteration rule or continuation condition.
• return statementcontrasts with · A return statement ends the current function or routine invocation and optionally supplies its result to the caller.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Get Programming: Learn to code with Python. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.