PowerShell scripts often need to make decisions. That's where the `IF THEN ELSE` statement comes in – your control flow superhero! At its core, it's simple: `IF (condition) { # Do this if true } ELSE { # Do this if false }`. The `condition` can be anything that evaluates to `$true` or `$false`. Think comparisons (`-eq`, `-gt`, `-lt`), checking for null values (`-ne $null`), or even the output of another command.
The `THEN` part is implied; after the `IF (condition)`, the code within the curly braces executes *only* if the condition is true. The `ELSE` block? Your backup plan! It executes *only* if the condition is false. You can even chain them together with `ELSEIF` for more complex decision-making, creating a multi-branching path based on different conditions.
Mastering `IF THEN ELSE` is fundamental to writing robust and adaptable PowerShell scripts. It allows your scripts to react intelligently to different situations, making them much more powerful and useful. So, start experimenting and watch your scripts come alive with decision-making power!
