Java Switch Statements: Simplifying Conditional Logic

Learn how to use Java switch statements to simplify conditional logic and execute one of several code blocks. Switch statements offer a cleaner, more efficient alternative to multiple if...else conditions in your Java programs.

Java Switch Statements

Instead of using many if...else statements, you can use the switch statement to execute one of several code blocks.

Syntax

switch(expression) {
case x:
// code block
break;
case y:
// code block
break;
default:
// code block
}

Example

int day = 4;
switch (day) {
case 1:
System.out.println("Monday");
break;
case 2:
System.out.println("Tuesday");
break;
case 3:
System.out.println("Wednesday");
break;
case 4:
System.out.println("Thursday");
break;
case 5:
System.out.println("Friday");
break;
case 6:
System.out.println("Saturday");
break;
case 7:
System.out.println("Sunday");
break;
}

Thursday

Explanation: In this example, the switch statement evaluates the day variable. Depending on its value (4 in this case), it executes the corresponding case block. Here, it prints "Thursday" because day is 4.

The break Keyword

When Java encounters a break keyword inside a switch block, it exits the block immediately. This prevents further execution of code within the switch statement.

The default Keyword

The default keyword specifies what happens if none of the case values match the expression. It is like the "else" part of an if...else statement.

int day = 4;
switch (day) {
case 6:
System.out.println("Today is Saturday");
break;
case 7:
System.out.println("Today is Sunday");
break;
default:
System.out.println("Looking forward to the Weekend");
}

Looking forward to the Weekend

Note: If the default statement is the last one in a switch block, it does not require a break statement.