Should 'if' statement always have an 'else' clause? [closed]

Answer 1

No. If you don't need to run any code on the else side, you don't need an else clause.

Answer 2

As you say, this may be a question of style, but I would not dream of putting in empty else-blocks in my code just because "every if-block should have one". In my opinion, it adds nothing else than some more characters in the code and one more point (of very little value) to spend time on during code reviews.

Answer 3

The golden rule: put it in if it makes your code clearer and easier to understand, and leave it out otherwise. An experienced programmer will be able to make these judgements on a case-by-case basis.

Answer 4

SQL Server 2000, 2005 at least.

IF 1 = 1
BEGIN
    PRINT 'doing something productive'
END
ELSE
BEGIN
    --Just sitting here
END


Msg 102, Level 15, State 1, Line 8
Incorrect syntax near 'END'.

You have to have a meaningful statement, which means a dummy assign or return data to client. I suppose I could use WAITFOR DELAY...

Answer 5

Are you talking about Algol-derived languages?

In Lisp, I'd say yes: every IF should have an else-clause. Otherwise, you should be using WHEN.

Answer 6

there are a lot of "words" telling you the way to programming such as DRY

in this case i'd use YAGNI.. you aint gonna need it..

so following this you shouldn't write the else.

anyhow in my opinion it makes it harder to read and understand the code.. the more you write the harder to understand the code is

edit: here are the links you requested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YAGNI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_repeat_yourself