What is the primary function of an if-else statement in programming?

The primary function of an if-else statement in programming is to execute a block of code based on a boolean condition. This means that the if-else structure allows the program to make decisions: if a specified condition evaluates to true, the code within the 'if' block is executed; if the condition evaluates to false, the code within the 'else' block can be executed instead.

This conditional logic is fundamental to programming, as it allows for dynamic behavior in applications. For instance, if a user inputs a certain value, the program can respond differently based on whether that value meets the condition set in the if statement. This capability to control the flow of a program based on conditions is what makes if-else statements a key feature for implementing logic in software development.

Iterating over a collection of items is handled by loop constructs such as for loops or while loops, while defining functions is achieved through function declaration syntax. Assigning values to variables is done using assignment statements. Each of these operations serves different purposes in development but does not involve the conditional flow control provided by if-else statements.