Programs need to be able to react differently to varying data.  Conditional statements let us do this.  For example, a robot must be able to monitor its sensors to prevent collisions.  Consider (and try running) the following program:

1. Create a new folder in your Java Projects folder named Conditional Example 
1. Create a new file (New->File)
1. Cut and paste this program into the file.
{{{
public class ConditionalExample {
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        int rangeInInches;

        rangeInInches = 10;

        if (rangeInInches < 20) {
           System.out.println("stop motors so we don't crash!");
        } else {
           System.out.println("full speed ahead!");
        }
    }
}
}}}
1. Save the program as !ConditionalExample.java (notice how the name of the file must match the name of the class)

=== Running the program
Run the program using the debugger with a breakpoint set on the first executable line (rangeInInches=10); 
* Step through the program using the stepover tool and observe the flow of the program.
* Restart the program using the restart tool
* Change the values stored in the variable rangeInInches to 25 and observe the flow of the program.

=== Extra Credit ===
Java allows you to have multiple conditionals using the syntax:
{{{
     if (<condition 1>) {
        // do this if condition 1 is true
        // also do this if condition 1 is true
     } else if (<condition 2>) {
        // do this if condition 1 was not true but condition 2 is true
     } else {
        // do this if neither condition 1 nor condition 2 were true
     }
}}}
You can have as many ''else if'' clauses as you wish.

* Try adding an ''else if'' clause to the sample program.

Some things to note:
* The conditions are always placed within parentheses
* The conditions are logic statements that must evaluate to true or false (e.g. (a < 10))
* The conditions are evaluated in order and the '''first''' condition that matches is executed, the rest are skipped
* The ''else if'' and ''else'' clauses are optional