How can I simplify my if-else statement in java?

Question

In my code I have a method size(MyData) that returns size of data - it can be 0 or greater. I also have a flag exclude that can be true or false . The point of my algorithm is to do some operation on data based on its size and the value of the flag.

• If the size is greater than 0, I want to do operation on data.

• If the size is 0, then I need to check the value of the flag excluded . In that case, if the flag excluded is set to true, I don't want to do operation on data. But if the flag is set to false, I need to do operation on data.

This is my algorithm so far:

int numberOfKids = size(MyData); //this can be 0 or greater
if (numberOfKids != 0) {
    //do operation
}
else {
    if (!exclude) {
        //do operation
    }
}

is there a better way of writing this algorithm? Thanks!

Answer 1

Assuming it's the same operation:

int numberOfKids = size(MyData); //this can be 0 or greater
if (numberOfKids != 0 || !exclude) {
    //do operation
}

The || comparison works by evaluating the left side, and if it is true, the right side is skipped. But if the left side is false, then the right side is evaluated.