elseif-without-else.md

elseif-without-else

This rule applies whenever an if statement is followed by one or more else if statements; the final else if should be followed by an else statement.

The requirement for a final else statement is defensive programming.

The else statement should either take appropriate action or contain a suitable comment as to why no action is taken. This is consistent with the requirement to have a final default clause in a switch statement.

Noncompliant Code Example

if (x == 0) {
  doSomething();
} else if (x == 1) {
  doSomethingElse();
}

Compliant Solution

if (x == 0) {
  doSomething();
} else if (x == 1) {
  doSomethingElse();
} else {
  throw "Unexpected value for x";
}

See

• CERT, MSC01-C. - Strive for logical completeness
• CERT, MSC57-J. - Strive for logical completeness