Which keyword is used to introduce a conditional statement in C?

The keyword used to introduce a conditional statement in C is "if." This keyword allows the programmer to specify a condition that, when evaluated, determines whether a particular block of code should be executed. The general syntax involves the keyword followed by a condition in parentheses and a block of code in braces. For example:

if (condition) {

// code to be executed if condition is true

}

Using "if" is fundamental in C programming as it enables decision-making in the flow of the program, allowing for different paths of execution based on varying conditions. This capability is crucial for creating dynamic and responsive applications that can react to user inputs or changes in state.

Other keywords, such as "while" and "for," are used for control flow in loops rather than conditional statements. The "switch" keyword is also applicable for multi-way branching based on the value of an expression but is distinct from the simple binary nature of "if." Thus, "if" is the most direct and commonly used keyword for introducing conditional statements in C code.