If else question

Hi all, I am wondering. When you use an if else statement and a condition exists isn't the if part suppose to stop? Then if the condition doesn't exist it is suppose to do something else? I am wondering because I have a form that goes something like this. select such and such from the table if that condition < 1 echo that it can't be found else echo the form But in this case even if the condition < 1 it still echoes the form. I am not understanding this. Thanks for your time and help Jennifer -- The sleeper has awaken --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.351 / Virus Database: 197 - Release Date: 4/19/2002