Can You Safely Omit Curly Braces in Java Loops?

Is It Permissible to Omit Curly Braces in Java?

Inquiring about the significance of curly braces (also known as brackets) in Java is a common question among novice programmers. It is true that both these code snippets will execute without errors:

for (int i = 0; i < size; i++) {
   a += b;
}

for (int i = 0; i < size; i++)
   a += b;

However, omitting curly braces in situations where they are required can lead to subtle bugs that are difficult to detect. Consider the following example:

for (int i = 0; i < size; i++)
   a += b;
   System.out.println("foo");

The intention is to execute both code blocks within the loop. But due to the absence of curly braces, the System.out.println("foo"); statement is outside the loop, leading to incorrect behavior.

for (int i = 0; i < size; i++) {
   a += b;
   System.out.println("foo");
}

By adding curly braces, the intended behavior is restored.

Consistent use of curly braces enhances code readability and maintainability. It reduces the likelihood of accidental code coupling, where the execution order is unintentionally altered.

Therefore, it is generally advisable to always include curly braces in control statements, even for simple one-line statements. This practice promotes clarity, minimizes bugs, and adheres to common coding conventions in the industry.

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