Control structures in Java are essential programming constructs that dictate the flow of execution in a program. They allow developers to control the order in which statements are executed based on certain conditions or repetitions. The primary types of control structures in Java include sequence structures, selection structures, and repetition structures.

1. Sequence Structure: This is the simplest form where statements are executed in the order they are written. For example, a program that prompts a user for input and processes that input sequentially follows this structure ¹.

2. Selection Structure: This includes conditional statements like if-else and switch statements. These structures allow the program to execute different blocks of code based on specific conditions. For instance, an if-else statement can determine which code to run based on user input ³.

3. Repetition Structure: Also known as loops, these structures enable the execution of a block of code multiple times. Common loop types in Java include for loops, while loops, and do-while loops. They are particularly useful for tasks that require repeated actions, such as iterating through arrays or collections ²³.

Understanding these control structures is crucial for writing efficient and effective Java programs.