What are Control Structures?
When writing a program, we often need to control the flow of execution — in other words, decide what happens next and sometimes repeat actions.
A control structure allows us to control the order in which instructions are executed based on certain conditions.
In Python, there are two main types of control structures:
Conditional Statements (Decision-making)
These allow the program to make decisions based on conditions.
For example:
“If it’s raining, take an umbrella. Otherwise, enjoy the sunshine!”
In Python:
if raining:
print("Take an umbrella")
else:
print("Enjoy the sunshine")
Loops (Repetition)
These allow the program to repeat certain actions as long as a condition is true or for a specific number of times.
For example:
“Keep watering the plant until the soil is wet.”
In Python:
while not soil_is_wet:
water_plant()Or repeat something a fixed number of times:
for i in range(5):
print("This is repetition number", i + 1)Why are Control Structures Important?
Without control structures, programs would always run the same set of instructions, in the same order, every time.
Control structures make our programs:
- Dynamic: able to respond to different inputs or situations
- Efficient: able to automate repetitive tasks
- Smarter: able to make decisions
Types of Control Structures in Python
| Type | Purpose | Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional statements | Make decisions and branch into different paths | if, elif, else |
| Loops | Repeat a block of code | while, for |
Real-World Examples
| Scenario | Control Structure |
|---|---|
| If the temperature > 30, turn on the AC | Conditional |
| Print numbers 1 to 10 repeatedly | Loop |
| Ask for password until it’s correct | Loop + Conditional |