This rule applies whenever an if
statement is followed by one or more else if
statements; the final else if
should be followed by an else
statement.
The requirement for a final else
statement is defensive programming.
The else
statement should either take appropriate action or contain a suitable comment as to why no action is taken. This is
consistent with the requirement to have a final default
clause in a switch
statement.
Noncompliant code example
if (x == 0) {
doSomething();
} else if (x == 1) {
doSomethingElse();
}
Compliant solution
if (x == 0) {
doSomething();
} else if (x == 1) {
doSomethingElse();
} else {
throw "Unexpected value for x";
}