An improvement over deeply nested IF-THEN-ELSE control structures

Abstract

This paper describes an alternative to deeply nested IF-THEN-ELSE control structures within high-level language programs. This alternative improves the maintainability and extensibility of programming technique uses a CASE or SELECT control structure nested within an iterative DO structure that causes all previously nested IF-THEN-ELSE control structures to become equal in level to the second nested IF. This technique promotes quicker success by programmers other than the author when they make later modifications to the programs because of the reduction in program complexity.