Switch Statement

A switch statement is a control flow construct in programming that allows a variable to be tested for equality against a list of values, executing different code blocks based on which value matches. It provides a cleaner and more efficient alternative to multiple if-else statements when dealing with discrete, constant values. This concept is fundamental in many programming languages for handling multi-way branching decisions.

Also known as: Switch, Switch-Case, Case Statement, Select Case, Switch Block

Why learn Switch Statement?

Developers should use switch statements when they need to compare a single expression against multiple possible constant values, such as handling menu options, processing enumerated types, or routing based on status codes. It improves code readability and performance in these scenarios by avoiding nested if-else chains and enabling compiler optimizations like jump tables in languages like C or Java. For example, it's ideal for parsing user input commands or implementing state machines.

Learning Resources

• docs: MDN Web Docs: Switch
• tutorial: W3Schools Switch Statement Tutorial
• tutorial: GeeksforGeeks: Switch Statement in C
• docs: Java Switch Statement - Oracle Documentation
• tutorial: Python match-case (PEP 634) - Real Python Tutorial