<P> In computer science, conditional statements, conditional expressions and conditional constructs are features of a programming language, which perform different computations or actions depending on whether a programmer - specified boolean condition evaluates to true or false . Apart from the case of branch predication, this is always achieved by selectively altering the control flow based on some condition . </P> <P> In imperative programming languages, the term "conditional statement" is usually used, whereas in functional programming, the terms "conditional expression" or "conditional construct" are preferred, because these terms all have distinct meanings . </P> <P> A conditional is sometimes colloquially referred to as an "if - check," especially when perceived as a simple one and when its specific form is irrelevant or unknown . </P>

​a statement that tests a value is called a ____ statement