Skip to main content
CS Teaching Tips

Main navigation

  • Browse All Tips
  • Tags
  • 3D
  • About
  • Rate Tips
  • Tip Sheets

Misconception: Students think that both the IF and the ELSE cases of a conditional are executed every single time a conditional runs.

Share Misconception: Students think that both the IF and the ELSE cases of a conditional are executed every single time a conditional runs. with FacebookShare Misconception: Students think that both the IF and the ELSE cases of a conditional are executed every single time a conditional runs. with Twitter
  • For example, here is a conditional in Python:
      if ( x<2 ):
        print "This is fun."

      else:

        print "I love CS."

  • Students sometimes think that if x=1, the computer will print "This is fun." then continue to ELSE and print "I love CS."

More about this tip

Tags

  • Content Misconceptions
  • Python
  • Intro Programming
  • CS 1
  • Programming Concepts
External Source

"Visual program simulation in introductory programming education" by Juha Sorva.

Other Tips By
Other Tips By Juha Sorva

Similar tips

Misconception: Students often have off by 1 errors when working with loops, which can result from mixing up > and >= as well as forgetting that arrays start at index 0.
When introducing version control, set students up for failure to facilitate group discussions; it’s crucial that students develop good modes of communicating.
Use Monopoly, explaining that the game is a class, to demonstrate Java classes and objects in a familiar and interactive way.
  • CSTT Facebook
  • CSTT Twitter

For more information or to report a bug, contact us at admin@csteachingtips.org. Built with Bootstrap. Footer Icons by Mohammed Alyousfi. Powered by Drupal.

Privacy Policy

  • National Science Foundation
  • Sage Fox Group
  • Harvey Mudd College