## else

(PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8)

Often you'd want to execute a statement if a certain condition is met, and a different statement if the condition is not met. This is what `else` is for. `else` extends an `if` statement to execute a statement in case the expression in the `if` statement evaluates to `false`. For example, the following code would display a is greater than b if $a is greater than $b, and a is NOT greater than b otherwise:

`<?php
if ($a > $b) {
echo "a is greater than b";
} else {
echo "a is NOT greater than b";
}
?>`
The `else` statement is only executed if the `if` expression evaluated to `false`, and if there were any `elseif` expressions - only if they evaluated to `false` as well (see elseif).

> Note: Dangling else

> In case of nested `if`-`else` statements, an `else` is always associated with the nearest `if`.

> `<?php
> $a = false;
> $b = true;
> if ($a)
> if ($b)
> echo "b";
> else
> echo "c";
> ?>`
> Despite the indentation (which does not matter for PHP), the `else` is associated with the `if ($b)`, so the example does not produce any output. While relying on this behavior is valid, it is recommended to avoid it by using curly braces to resolve potential ambiguities.

`↑` and `↓` to navigate • `Enter` to select • `Esc` to close • `/` to open