What does an "if statement" do in programming?

An "if statement" in programming is designed to execute specific blocks of code only when certain conditions are met. This allows for conditional execution, meaning that the program can make decisions based on dynamic data or input. For instance, if a condition evaluates to true, the code inside the if statement will run; if it evaluates to false, the code will be skipped. This feature is crucial for controlling the flow of a program and allows for more complex and interactive behavior.

In many programming languages, the syntax for an if statement allows you to specify conditions, which can involve comparisons or logical expressions. The ability to dictate which segments of code run depending on variable states enables developers to respond dynamically to different scenarios, making programs more adaptable and functional.