any idea why the

else if

work though?

Let's take this simple example (assuming it would compile):

fun myFun(input: Int): Int {
    if (input < 0) {
        return -1
    } else if (input > 0) {
        return 1
    }
}
val value = myFun(0)

what should

value

be? It's not defined in the function. That's why the function does not compile.

if you're using a result of an

if

tree, you have to make sure that all branches return (exhaust all conditions).

Alright that makes sense

It actually isn't as smart as you think. It requires you to have an

else

block, even if your

else if

-chain already covers all cases.

Ah that makes more sense. I thought it was doing some high tech static analysis to figure out whether every path in control flow graph was accounted for