An if-else statement is a fundamental programming concept used to make decisions in code. It allows a program to execute certain actions based on whether a specific condition is true or false. For example, if a user’s input is valid, the program can proceed with that input; otherwise, it can display an error message. The structure of an if-else statement typically includes an if clause that checks a condition, followed by an else clause that defines what to do if the condition is not met. This helps create logical flows in programs, making them more interactive and responsive to user actions.