For illustration we will use the syntax for the if then else control structure within the C++ programming language. However this problem generally exists for all control structures within any language that requires the use of compound statements. The syntax is:
if (expression) statement; else statement;
Within the C++ programming language there can be only one statement listed as the action part of a control structure. Often, we will want to do more than one statement. This problem is overcome by creating a compound statement. The brace symbols the opening { and the closing } -are used to create a compound statement. For example:
if(expression) { statement; statement; } else { statement; statement; }
Because programmers often forget that they can have only one statement listed as the action part of a control structure; the C++ programming industry encourages the use of indentation (to see the action parts clearly) and the use of compound statements (braces), even if there is only one action. Thus:
if(expression) { statement; }else { statement; }
By writing code in this manner, if the programmer modifes the code by adding more statements to either the action true or the action false; they will not introduce either compiler or logic errors. Using indentation and braces should become standard practice for C++ programmers and programmers in any other language that require the use of compound statements with the control structures.
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