Control flow in procedural programming

Programming Paradigm Concepts

Eleanor Thomas

Senior Data Analytics Engineer

What is control flow?

Control flow: set of keywords and processes within a programming language that indicate how the logic of the code should be stepped through
Examples of control flow statements:
- if/else statements
- for loops and while loops
- Function definition using def

Directing flow

Combining elements of control flow (if statements and for loops)

if my_height > your_height:
    print("I'm taller!")

for height in height_list:
    print(height)

Combined:

for height in height_list:
    if my_height > height:
        print("I am taller than ", height)

Combining elements of control flow in functions

def compare_heights(my_height, height_list):
    for height in height_list:
        if my_height > height:
            print("I am taller than ", height)
    return


my_height = 63
height_list = [62, 67, 70]


compare_heights(my_height, height_list)

Control flow in procedural programming

Control flow statements make procedural programming possible in Python
Structure program logic in a step-by-step way with reusable chunks of logic
Code this logic in Python with if statements, loops, and Python functions
Control flow creates procedures which implement separation of responsibilities

Person typing

Let's practice!

Programming Paradigm Concepts