There's actually no ambiguity in the C syntax for your example. The compiler understands it fine. The problem is that the programmer/reader of the code does not always read it the same way.

   if(a) if(b) c(); else d();

[download]

According to what I recall, the else matches with the nearest if in this case. Unfortunately, indentation gives humans fits on this.

   if(a)
       if(b)
          c();
   else
       d();

[download]

This does the same thing (else goes with if(b)). As I said, there's nothing ambiguous about it.

G. Wade

In reply to Re^4: if/else syntax by gwadej
in thread if/else syntax by Anonymous Monk

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