Delphi Programming/Flow control
Structures
[edit | edit source]The if-structure
[edit | edit source]The if-structure executes a block of commands if a boolean expression returns True. A more simple to understand explanation is: It executes a block or a single command if a condition is true. Example:
begin
if a = False then
WriteLn('a is false')
else WriteLn('a is true');
end.
Never write "if a = True" but simply write "if a". Writing "if a = False" is correct, but you can also write "if not a" or (with brackets) "if (((((a)))))" (or as many brackets you want), also "(if (not(a)))".
Structure:
begin
if CONDITION then
DO_ANYTHING
else DO_THIS;
end.
or (for more than one command to execute):
begin
if CONDITION then
begin
DO_ANYTHING;
end
else begin
DO_THIS;
end;
end.
Or without the else:
begin
if CONDITION then
begin
DO_THIS;
end;
end.
Except the last end there's always a semicolon behind the end. There is never a semicolon before an "Else"!
Example:
var
_Answer: string;
begin
WriteLn('Do you want to order a pizza?');
ReadLn(_Answer);
if _Answer = 'Yes' then
WriteLn('You decided for yes!')
else WriteLn('Don''t want to have a pizza?');
end.
You can start and end a string with a quote ('
) or a double quote ("
). How to write a quote or double quote in a string? It would end the string in the middle! If you have to write a quote in the text, you can start and end your string with a double quote or write your quote twice as it has been done at line 8. Do the same thing for a double quote.
The case structure
[edit | edit source]The Case structure is quite similar to the if structure with the following difference: You can more easily ask for several cases!
Structure:
case VARIABLE_NAME of
VALUE_1:
DO_THIS;
VALUE_N:
DO_THIS
else
DO_THIS
end;
end;
But with a case-structure you can only ask for Integers and chars.
Operators
[edit | edit source]Expanding the condition
[edit | edit source]You can expand your condition with a few operators:
- AND (like
&&
in C): logical 'and':if (a = 1) and (b = 2)
. The value of the expression "(a = 1) and (b = 2)
" is TRUE if a is 1 and b is 2. Else, the value is FALSE and the ELSE-part will be executed (and not the part after THEN). Don't forget the brackets!
- OR (like
||
in C): 'or':if (a = 1) or (b = 1)
. If a is 1, b is 1 or both is 1, the value of the expression is TRUE. - XOR: If only one of the conditions is true:
if (a = 1) xor (b = 2)
. The expression is true if a is 1 or b is 2. If a is 1 AND b is 2, the value will be FALSE! - NOT: The opposite of the expression.
It's also possible to interlink that operators. But then don't forget the brackets!
By the way: Every condition returns a boolean value. If it is TRUE, the then-part will be executed. If not, the processor goes to the else-part.
Operators such as 'equals'
[edit | edit source]Operators such as '=' are:
- = equals
- > greater than
- < less than
- <= less or equals
- >= greater or equals
- <> not equal (less or greater, not the same)
and conjunction or disjunction xor exclusive disjunction
Operators for calculating
[edit | edit source]- You can use ( and ) as brackets.
- / means 'divided by', the result is a float
- div means 'divided by', the result is a rounded integer
- * means 'times'
- + means 'plus'
- - means 'minus'
+ also means linking of strings or chars:
- string + string : string
- string + char : string
- char + char : string
- char + string : string
- string + number : error
- number + string : error
- number + number : number
- number + char : error
- char + number : error
Loops
[edit | edit source]Loop means: A block will be executed many times. There are four types of loops:
For-to
[edit | edit source] for [var] := [start] to [end] do
begin
[execute the following code]
end;
The var will count from [start] to [end] and after every counting step the code will be executed. Normally the [var] is defined as i, j or k, but you can also choose counting_var_with_this_name or any name.
For-downto
[edit | edit source] for [var] := [end] downto [start] do
begin
[execute the following code]
end;
The var will count down from [end] to [start] and after every counting step the code will be executed.
While-do
[edit | edit source] while [condition] do
begin
[code]
end;
While the condition is true, the code will be executed. Whether the condition is TRUE or FALSE will be checked BEFORE executing the code.
Repeat-until
[edit | edit source] repeat
[code]
until [condition];
The code will be executed until the condition is true. Whether the condition is TRUE or FALSE will be checked AFTER executing the code.
Setting values
[edit | edit source]The operator for setting values is :=
a := b;
By executing, a will get the value of b.
EXAMPLE:
a equals 1; b equals 3
After executing:
a equals 3; b equals 3
and not:
a equals 1; b equals 1
Be careful with the order!