In Python, many operations depend on checking if something is true or false. This begins with comparisons, such as testing if one value is greater than another or if two values are equal.

Conditional statements then use these comparisons to make decisions. If a condition is true, a specific block of code runs. This is the foundation of programming logic.

Comparison Operators

Conditions are built on comparisons — they evaluate to either True or False. Python supports the following operators:

• == — equal to;
• != — not equal to;
• > — greater than;
• < — less than;
• >= — greater than or equal to;
• <= — less than or equal to

Basic Structure

In Python, conditional blocks use if, elif, and else. Python reads conditions from top to bottom and executes the first block where the condition is True.

Logical Operators

You can combine conditions with logical operators:

• and — both must be true;
• or — at least one must be true;
• not — reverses the result.

These make your logic more flexible.

Indentation in Conditional Blocks

Python uses indentation instead of braces to define code blocks. All lines under if, elif, or else must be indented by 4 spaces or 1 tab.

Wrong indentation will cause errors or unexpected behavior.

Summary

• Conditions use if, elif, and else;
• They evaluate to boolean values;
• Comparison and logical operators define the logic;
• Proper indentation is required to structure your blocks;

Try It Yourself

1. Write a program that asks for a number;
2. If the number is greater than 10, print "Big number";
3. If it equals 10, print "Exactly ten";
4. Otherwise, print "Small number";
5. Extend it by checking if the number is also even or odd, and print that information too.