Computer languages contain a number of things generically called "flow control". These construct (words) are what allow a programmer to change the course of the application. They contain things such as:
- if ... then
- do ... while
- while ... wend
- plenty of other examples
The one thing they have in common is that they have the potential to do something based on a condition. But you know what? Every time you execute one of these flow control statements you have the potential of slowing your application down. You also have something else you need to check. In addition, if you've chained a number of these statements in a row you must ensure that you are checking them in the proper order.
Essentially, what it comes down to is trying to avoid these statements in the first place. If you want to get carried away, there are some object oriented purists who believe that you should be able to write your entire application without the use of an if ... then statement. (My personal belief is that while this is an interesting thought, if ... then can save a lot of extra coding.)
This is also true of any business processes that may be implemented by the project. Avoiding the use of flow controls makes the process easier to use, easier to follow and easier to understand. So, whether it is an application or a business process, minimize the use of conditional statements and you'll find that things go faster, smoother and with fewer problems.
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