Prompt JavaScript If Else Unexpected Token else

Question

I'm teaching myself JavaScript using Code Academy and I'm trying to make some simple code so that when prompt asks a question, the user reply gives a response.

example.

prompt says "what's your favourite colour?"

user says "blue"

response "that's the same colour as the sky!"

But when I try to add different options, I get Syntax error: unexpected token else.

I tried making it so that if I asked a question, the reply gets a response but anything else gets a response.

Here's the code.

prompt("what do you want?");

if ("coke");
{console.log ("no coke, pepsi.")};
else
console.log ("pepsi only.")};

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be very grateful!

jbabey · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-18 20:49:13Z

Disclaimer: I don't work for Coca Cola.

You need to save the return value of prompt if you want to use it later. Also, you have some syntax errors that should be corrected:

var answer = prompt('what do you want?');

if (answer === 'coke') {
    console.log('you said coke!');
} else {
    console.log('why didn\'t you say coke!?');
}

You could also use a switch as you get more cases:

var answer = prompt('what do you want?');

switch (answer) {
    case 'coke':
        console.log('you said coke!');
        break;
    default:
        console.log('why didn\'t you say coke!?');
        break;
}

Or an object, as most people prefer this to switch:

var answer = prompt('what do you want?');

var responses = {
    coke: 'you said coke!',
    defaultResponse: 'why didn\'t you say coke!?'
};

console.log(responses[answer] || responses.defaultResponse);

Igor · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-18 20:41:37Z

5

The if does not need a semicolon at the end. Instead do:

if ("coke") {
    console.log ("no coke, pepsi.");
} else {
    console.log ("pepsi only.");
}

answered Oct 18, 2012 at 20:41

Igor

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Comments

Kevin Boucher · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-18 20:41:31Z

2

Remove the trailing semicolons:

prompt("what do you want?");

if ("coke") {
    console.log ("no coke, pepsi.");
} else {
    console.log ("pepsi only.");
}

answered Oct 18, 2012 at 20:41

Kevin Boucher

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Comments

Chad · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-18 20:42:18Z

1

You have a semi-colon after the close brace. Try:

var ans = prompt("what do you want?");

if (ans == "coke") {
    console.log ("no coke, pepsi.");
} else {
    console.log ("pepsi only.");
}

answered Oct 18, 2012 at 20:42

Chad

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Comments

Sandeep Kumar Vuppala · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-18 20:43:45Z

1

var name = prompt("what do you want?");  
if (name == "coke") 
{
console.log ("no coke, pepsi.")
}
else 
{
console.log ("pepsi only.")
}

Like above

answered Oct 18, 2012 at 20:43

Sandeep Kumar Vuppala

191 bronze badge

Comments

Jan Turoň · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-01 21:00:33Z

0

Actually DO NOT do

 if (ans == "whatever") {
    console.log ("whatever");
} else {
    console.log ("whatever.");
}

DO

 if (ans == "whatever") {
    confirm ("whatever");
} else {
    confirm ("whatever.");
}

edited Apr 1, 2015 at 21:00

Jan Turoň

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answered Apr 1, 2015 at 20:57

user4740004

Comments

Mayank Shukla · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-27 09:13:45Z

0

A variable needs to be identified. Also the bracketing and the semi colons between the "if" "else" statements are problematic. I am not sure about the console log, but if you want a popup alert try this:

var brand = prompt ('what do you want?');
if (brand="coke") {
   alert ("no coke, pepsi.")
}else {
   alert ("pepsi only.")
};

DICLAIMER: I am novice at best, jut happened to debug a similar issue. Hope it helps.

edited Feb 27, 2017 at 9:13

Mayank Shukla

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answered Feb 27, 2017 at 8:56

jeromygoodnight

1

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