What is a conditional statement?

A conditional statement is a programming construct that allows the execution of different pieces of code based on whether a specified condition evaluates to true or false. This means that the flow of the program can change dynamically depending on the conditions met during execution. For example, in languages like Python, an if statement checks a condition, and if that condition is true, the code within the if block will run; if it’s false, the program may execute code in an else block or skip it altogether.

This is essential for implementing logic within programs, enabling them to respond differently in various situations. By using conditional statements, you can create more sophisticated and responsive code, enhancing the interactivity and functionality of applications.

The other choices describe different programming concepts. A statement that always executes the same code does not incorporate any conditional logic and is more indicative of a regular function or procedure call. A statement that iterates over a loop refers to control structures designed for repeated execution of a block of code, such as for or while loops. A statement that defines a variable is focused on memory allocation and does not involve any decision-making process. Thus, the distinction of conditional statements lies in their ability to vary execution based on conditions.