Scheme uses the syntax #t and #f
for Boolean true and false value. For example the
“less-than” function is named <.
Its result is true if the first argument is less than the second (or if
there are more than two arguments: that they are in increasing order):
(< 3 4) ⇒ #t (< -3 -4) ⇒ #f (< 2 3 5 7 11)) ⇒ #t
The if special form takes two or three sub-expressions:
It evaluates the first expression.
If that is true it evaluates the second expression;
otherwise it evaluates the third expression, if provided:
(if (< 3 4) (+ 5 5) (+ 5 6)) ⇒ 10
We call if a special form rather than a function,
because for a function all the arguments are evaluated before the
function is called, but in a special form that is not neceassarily the case.
In addition to #t any value except #f
counts as “true” when evaluating the first expression of an if:
(if 0 (+ 5 5) (+ 5 6)) ⇒ 11
You can use and, or,
and not and to create complex boolean expressions.
Of these and and or
are special forms that only evaluate as many of the sub-expressions as needed.
(if (not (and (>= i 0) (<= i 9)))
(display "error"))
You can use cond form as an alternative to
if:
(cond ((> 3 3) ’greater)
((< 3 3) ’less)
(else ’equal)) ⇒ equal