EXP52-JG. Use braces for the body of an if, for, or while statement

Use opening and closing braces for if, for, or while statements even when the body contains only a single statement. Braces improve the uniformity and readability of code.

More importantly, it is easy to forget to add braces when inserting additional statements into a body containing only a single statement, because the indentation gives strong (but misleading) guidance to the structure.

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example authenticates a user with an if statement that lacks braces.

int login;

if (invalid_login())
  login = 0;
else
  login = 1;

A maintainer might add a debug statement or other logic but forget to add opening and closing braces.

int login;

if (invalid_login())
  login = 0;
else
  System.out.println("Login is valid\n");  // debugging line added here
  login = 1;                               // this line always gets executed regardless of a valid login!

The code's indentation disguises the functionality of the program, potentially leading to a security breach.

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution uses opening and closing braces even though the body of the if is a single statement.

int login;

if (invalid_login()) {
  login = 0;
} else {
  login = 1;
}

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example nests an if statement within another if statement without braces around the if and else bodies.

int privileges;

if (invalid_login())
  if (allow_guests())
    privileges = GUEST;
else
  privileges = ADMINISTRATOR;

The indentation might lead the programmer to believe users are granted administrator privileges only when their login is valid. However, the else statement actually attaches to the inner if statement:

int privileges;

if (invalid_login())
  if (allow_guests())
    privileges = GUEST;
  else
    privileges = ADMINISTRATOR;

Consequently, this defect allows unauthorized users to obtain administrator privileges.

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution uses braces to remove the ambiguity, consequently ensuring that privileges are correctly assigned.

int privileges;

if (invalid_login()) {
  if (allow_guests()) {
    privileges = GUEST;
  } 
} else {
  privileges = ADMINISTRATOR;
}

Applicability

Failure to enclose the bodies of if, for, or while statements in braces makes code maintenance error prone.

Related Guidelines

Bibliography