A.6 Testing an expression with the primitive if

As in all programming languages, Logo allows you to check if a condition is satisfied and then to execute the desired code if it’s true or false.
With the primitive if you can realize those tests.

if expression_test list1 list2


if expression_test is true, the instructions included in list1 are executed. Else, if expression_test is false, the instructions in list2 are executed. This second list is optional.

Examples:

Important: When the result of the first predicate is equal to false, the primitive if looks for a second list, I mean an expression starting with a square bracket. In some very rare cases, it can’t be done, and you’ll have to use the primitive ifelse . For example:

# We  affect two lists in variables a and b  
 make "a [print true]  
 make "b [print false]  
 
# First test with the primitive if--> The second list can’t be evaluated.  
 if 1=2 :a :b  
 What to do with [print false]?  
 
# Second test with the primitive ifelse --> success.  
 ifelse 1=2 :a :b  
 false