Kotlin by Example: If/else

fun main() {
    val a = 12
    val b = 17

In Kotlin, if can be used in the traditional way. The parentheses are mandatory.

    val largest: Int
    if (a > b) largest = a else largest = b

However, if can also be used as an expression.

    val smallest = if (a < b) a else b

Each branch in an if expression can be a block, where the value of the last expression becomes the result.

    val equal: Boolean = if (a > b) {
        println("a is larger")
        false
    } else if (b > a) {
        println("b is larger")
        false
    } else {
        println("a and b are equal")
        true
    }

    println(smallest)
    println(largest)
    println(equal)
}
$ kotlinc main.kt -include-runtime -d main.jar
$ java -jar Main.jar
b is larger
12
17
false