---
title: "Need of control statements"
subject: "Computer Programming"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_1/computer_programming:why-control-statements"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/why-control-statements
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Need of control statements

Computer Programming · Chapter 5: Control statements

- Asked in: 2074 Asoj, 2 marks; 2071 Chaitra, 2 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Control Statements In C Explained | Types Of Control Statements In C | C Programming | Simplilearn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiPoFeWrSYY) — Simplilearn
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/why-control-statements
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_1/computer_programming/chapter-5

## Question

Why do we need control statements in computer programs? What are control statements?

## Short answer

Control statements alter the sequential flow of execution: decision (if, switch), loop (for, while, do‑while), and jump (break, continue, etc.). They are needed to make decisions, repeat code, and handle different cases, without which programs could only follow a single fixed path.

## Answer

**Control statements** are statements that control the order in which other statements of a program are executed. By default, C runs statements one after another (sequentially). Control statements change this flow.

Types:
- **Decision (selection):** `if`, `if-else`, `else-if` ladder, `switch`
- **Loop (iteration):** `for`, `while`, `do-while`
- **Jump:** `break`, `continue`, `goto`, `return`

We need them to:
- take decisions according to conditions (is the number even? are the marks enough to pass?);
- repeat a block of statements many times without rewriting it;
- skip or terminate parts of a program, and so solve real problems with different cases.

Without them, a program could only run in a fixed straight line.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Control statements:
   A. Control order of execution
   B. Declare variables
   C. Allocate memory
   D. Define constants
   Answer: A. They control the order of execution. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which is a loop statement?
   A. if
   B. switch
   C. while
   D. break
   Answer: C. for, while and do-while are loops. (Key point: Types)

3. Why are they needed?
   A. Decisions and repetition
   B. Faster hardware
   C. Comments
   D. Types
   Answer: A. They allow decisions, repetition and skipping. (Key point: Need)

## Related in Computer Programming

- [Output of printf statements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aprintf-output-a-b) — Computer Programming, chapter 4
- [Computer program and programming](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Adefine-program-programming) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Need of analysis and design](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Aanalysis-design-before-coding) — Computer Programming, chapter 2
- [Define structure; need of structures](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Adefine-structure-need) — Computer Programming, chapter 8, asked 2×
- [Need of stdio.h header file](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Astdio-header-need) — Computer Programming, chapter 3

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- [Why do we need FFT](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdigital_signal_analysis_and_processing%3Awhy-need-fft) — Digital Signal Analysis and Processing, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [PID tuning and computer control issues](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fembedded_system%3Apid-tuning-practical-issues) — Embedded System, chapter 7
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