Control Statements in Java: What Do You Need to Know in 2025

Did You Know? Unlike many older languages, Java has added support for using Strings in switch statements starting from Java 7, making code more readable when dealing with string-based conditions.

Control statements in Java are fundamental to programming because they dictate the flow of execution, enabling your programs to make decisions and repeat tasks efficiently. 

Imagine building a banking app that approves transactions only if the user has sufficient funds. That decision-making relies heavily on control statements. These statements allow the program to evaluate conditions and decide which actions to perform, ensuring accurate and secure processing of each transaction.

In this blog, we’ll explore various control statements in Java. Understanding these will empower you to write flexible, efficient, and readable Java programs that handle real-world logic smoothly.

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What Are Control Statements in Java? An Explanation

Control statements in Java are essential constructs that manage the flow of program execution by directing the order in which code blocks run. They enable conditional branching, allowing the program to choose different paths based on evaluated expressions, and facilitate repetitive execution through loops. 

Java offers a variety of control statements including if, else if, else, switch for decision-making, and for, while, do-while loops for iteration. Additionally, control modifiers like break, continue, and labeled statements provide fine-grained control within loops and switches, making it possible to handle complex logic efficiently and clearly.

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Relevance of Control Statements in Java

Control statements in Java allow you to modify the normal sequential flow of your program. By default, Java executes code line by line from top to bottom, left to right. However, control statements let you change this flow by deciding whether certain blocks of code should run based on conditions or loops.

For example, the if statement is a decision-making control structure that executes code only when a specified condition is true. Since Java is case-sensitive, keywords like if must be written in lowercase. Inside the if block, you can perform actions such as printing variable values to monitor the program’s behavior.

Key Points:

• Java executes code sequentially unless directed otherwise by control statements.
• Control statements decide whether to execute or skip code blocks based on conditions.
• The if statement evaluates an expression; if true, it runs the code inside its block.
• If the condition is false, the code inside the if block is skipped.
• Using control statements helps in real-time decision making and flow control within applications.

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Now that you have a good understanding of control statements in Java, let’s look at the different types of control statements in Java.

Different Control Statements in Java

The following are the Control structures that can be applied to any computer program. Control Statements in Java are the essential structuring elements for the flow of program execution. They can branch, break, or advance program execution flow based on the change in program states.

1. Sequence Structure

This structure refers to the sequential execution of statements one after the other, as specified in the code. This is the default structure built into Java wherein the statements are executed one after the other from beginning to end unless instructed otherwise.

Also Read: Is Java Easy to Learn? Key Factors to Consider

2. Selection Structure

This structure will let us choose a path based on a given condition. Java has three types of Selection statements, namely, if statement, if-else-statement, and switch statement. Selection statements are also called as decision-making statements. If and switch statements allow you to control the program execution flow based on the condition at runtime.

• If Statement

This statement allows the program to start, reach a decision based on the set condition. This means a code can or cannot be executed.

Example:

if (x < 20) {
    System.out.println("Hello Universe!");
}

}

Example output:

Hello Universe!

If x = 25, there will be no output.

• If-else-else Statement

The program starts and reads the decision based on the set condition and continues to do one thing or another and concludes.

Example:

if (x < 20) {
    System.out.println("Hello Universe!");
} else {
    System.out.println("Hello folks!");
}

Example outputs:

For x = 15:

Hello Universe!

For x = 25:

Hello folks!

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• Switch or break Statement

A switch statement allows the program to select one of many possible execution paths based on the value of a variable. Each case corresponds to a specific value, and the program executes the code under the matching case until it encounters a break statement, which exits the switch. If no case matches, the default case is executed.
Example:

String dayName;
int dayNumber = 2;  // Example input

switch (dayNumber) {
    case 1:
        dayName = "Monday";
        break;
    case 2:
        dayName = "Tuesday";
        break;
    case 3:
        dayName = "Wednesday";
        break;
    default:
        dayName = "Any other Day";
        break;
}

System.out.println(dayName);

Example output:

For dayNumber = 2, the output will be:

Tuesday

If dayNumber = 5, the output will be:

Any other Day

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3. Repetition Structure

Repetition structure allows us to execute code statements repetitively or zero times, depending on the condition.

We have three types of repetition/ looping statements/iteration in Java, namely, for a statement, while information, and do while statement. Iteration statements enable program execution to repeat one or more statements, such as a loop, for a loop. Each loop has four types of statements, namely, Initialization, Condition Checking, Execution, and Increment/Decrement.

• For Loop

This statement is used when the number of iterations is known before entering the loop. This loop is used to evaluate the initial value statements to the final value with a given increment/decrement.

Example: Counting from 1 to 20

for (int m = 1; m <= 20; m = m + 1) {
    System.out.println(m);
}

How it works: Starts with m = 1 and prints the value of m. Then it increments m by 1 each time, repeating until m is greater than 20.

Output:

1
2
3
...
19
20

• While Loop

A while loop repeatedly executes a block of code as long as the given condition remains true. It starts with an initial value and continues looping, incrementing or decrementing the control variable until the condition becomes false.

Example : Print values from 1 to 10

class WhileExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int i = 1;
        while (i <= 10) {
            System.out.println(i);
            i++;
        }
    }
}

Expected Output:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

• do while loop

A do-while loop executes the block of code at least once before checking the condition. It continues to repeat the loop as long as the condition remains true. This is useful when you want the loop body to run before any condition is tested.

Example : Calculating the sum of numbers from 1 to 10

class DoWhileExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int i = 1;
        int sum = 0;

        do {
            sum = sum + i;
            i++;
        } while (i <= 10);

        System.out.println("\nThe sum of 1 to 10 is: " + sum);
    }
}

Expected Output:

The sum of 1 to 10 is: 55

One of the major differences between the while loop and the do-while loop is that in a do-while loop, you will be executing the body of the loop initially and then check the condition. the do-while loop executes the block of the statement even when the condition fails, and it executes one time.

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• Branching Statements

When working with loops in Java, there are situations where you may want to skip certain iterations or exit the loop immediately. This is where branching statements like break, continue, and return come into play. 

They control the flow by either terminating loops or skipping parts of them, allowing more precise execution control.

• Break: Immediately exits the nearest enclosing loop or switch statement, transferring control to the code following the loop or switch block. It effectively stops the loop before the normal condition fails.
• Continue: Skips the remaining code in the current iteration and moves to the next iteration of the loop. For do-while loops, control moves to the test condition; for other loops, it moves to the update expression.
• Return: Exits from the current method, optionally returning a value. It stops all further execution within the method.

• Break Statement

The break statement in Java has two forms: unlabeled and labeled. The unlabeled break is commonly used to exit loops (while, do-while) or switch blocks immediately. Without a break inside a switch case, execution continues (“falls through”) to the next case, which can lead to unintended results.

The switch statement works like an if-else, selecting code to execute based on the input value.

For instance, passing a marks integer to switch will print the matched case message, but if no break is present, it continues to the next case and eventually the default.

Example:

ublic class BreakDemo {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        String str1 = args[0];

        int marks = Integer.parseInt(str1);

        switch(marks) {
            case 95:
                System.out.println("Your marks: " + marks + " and rank is A");
                break;

            case 80:
                System.out.println("Your marks: " + marks + " and rank is B");
                break;

            case 70:
                System.out.println("Your marks: " + marks + " and rank is C");
                break;

            default:
                System.out.println("Your marks: " + marks + " and rank is FAIL");
                break;
        }
    }
}

Example Outputs:

• If you run:

java BreakDemo 95

Output:

Your marks: 95 and rank is A

• If you run:

java BreakDemo 80

Output:

Your marks: 80 and rank is

If you run:

java BreakDemo 65

Output:

Your marks: 65 and rank is FAIL

• Continue Statement

This example is to print odd numbers. The continue statement skips the iteration of for, while loops.

Example:

public class ContinueDemo {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {

            if (i % 2 == 0) continue;

            System.out.println("Odd number " + i);
        }
    }
}

Output:

Odd number 1
Odd number 3
Odd number 5
Odd number 7
Odd number 9

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• Return Statement

The return statement is used to return the value from a method explicitly. The called class will process and transfer the control back to the caller of the method. The data type of the return value must match the type of methods declared return value. If a method is declared as void, it does not return a value.

Example:

public class RectangleTest {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Rectangle rect = new Rectangle();
        rect.setDim(10, 5);
        int area = rect.getArea();
        System.out.println("Area of rectangle: " + area);
    }
}

class Rectangle {
    int length;
    int breadth;

    void setDim(int le, int br) {
        length = le;
        breadth = br;
    }

    int getArea() {
        return length * breadth;
    }
}

Expected Output:

Area of rectangle: 50

Explanation: Length = 10, Breadth = 5, so Area = 10 * 5 = 50.
Connecting the Control Structure and connect the statements control structures in two ways, one is by stacking, and the other is by nesting.
Control Statement Stacking

The entry point of one activity diagram can be connected to the exit point of another. For example, a sequence statement and a selection statement can be combined through stacking.

• Control Statement Nesting

An instruction or action in one control statement is replaced with another control statement. 

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Next, let’s look at how upGrad can help you upskill.

How Can upGrad Help You Learn Programming?

Control statements remain fundamental in Java programming today because they enable developers to direct the flow of execution, making programs dynamic, efficient, and responsive to varying inputs and conditions. Mastering these concepts is crucial for building robust applications, automating tasks, and solving complex problems effectively. 

At upGrad, we offer comprehensive courses that help you deepen your understanding of Java control statements and other core programming principles, equipping you with the skills needed to excel in software development and advance your career in technology.

Here are some of the top upGrad courses  (including free ones)  to support your Frontend Development journey:

• Programming with Python: Introduction for Beginners
• Learn Basic Python Programming
• Java Object-oriented Programming
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Master in-demand Software Development skills like coding, system design, DevOps, and agile methodologies to excel in today’s competitive tech industry.
 

Master in-demand Software Development skills like coding, system design, DevOps, and agile methodologies to excel in today’s competitive tech industry.

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References:
https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/nutsandbolts/switch.html