Java Switch Statement

In Java, the switch statement is used for multi-branching based on a single expression. Here's a concise overview:

Syntax:

switch (expression) {
    case value1:
        // Code to execute if expression matches value1
        break;
    case value2:
        // Code to execute if expression matches value2
        break;
    // Additional cases...
    default:
        // Code to execute if expression doesn't match any case
}

Switch Statement:

• Evaluates the expression and executes the code block corresponding to the matching case.
• break statement exits the switch block after executing the matched case.
• default case is executed when no other case matches the expression.
• Example:

int day = 3;
switch (day) {
    case 1:
        System.out.println("Sunday");
        break;
    case 2:
        System.out.println("Monday");
        break;
    case 3:
        System.out.println("Tuesday");
        break;
    // Additional cases...
    default:
        System.out.println("Invalid day");
}

Switch Expression (Java 12+):

• Introduced in Java 12, it evaluates an expression and returns a value based on matching cases.
• Example:

int num = 3;
String result = switch (num) {
    case 1 -> "One";
    case 2 -> "Two";
    default -> "Other";
};
System.out.println(result); // Output: Other

 

Summary

Java's switch statement handles multi-branching based on a single expression, executing the matching case with an optional default case. Introduced in Java 12, switch expressions return a value based on matched cases. Understanding switch is essential for structured conditional logic in Java.