Name

switch

Description

Works like an if else structure, but switch is more convenient when you need to select between three or more alternatives. Program controls jumps to the case with the same value as the expression. All remaining statements in the switch are executed unless redirected by a break. Only primitive datatypes which can convert to an integer (byte, char, and int) may be used as the expression parameter. The default is optional.

Examples

  • int num = 1;
    
    switch(num) {
      case 0: 
        println("Zero");  // Does not execute
        break;
      case 1: 
        println("One");  // Prints "One"
        break;
    }
    
  • char letter = 'N';
    
    switch(letter) {
      case 'A': 
        println("Alpha");  // Does not execute
        break;
      case 'B': 
        println("Bravo");  // Does not execute
        break;
      default:             // Default executes if the case names
        println("None");   // don't match the switch parameter
        break;
    }
    
  • // Removing a "break" enables testing
    // for more than one value at once
    
    char letter = 'b';
    
    switch(letter) {
      case 'a':
      case 'A': 
        println("Alpha");  // Does not execute
        break;
      case 'b':
      case 'B': 
        println("Bravo");  // Prints "Bravo"
        break;
    }
    

Syntax

  • switch(expression)
  • {
  • case name:
  • statements
  • case name: // Optional
  • statements // "
  • default: // "
  • statements // "
  • }

Parameters

  • expressionbyte, char, or int
  • namebyte, char, or int
  • statementsone or more statements to be executed