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Understanding Switch Statements in Java

The document discusses the switch statement in Java. It provides the syntax for a switch statement and explains that it evaluates an expression and attempts to match the result to possible case values. A match must be an exact match. Each case contains a value and list of statements. If a break statement is included, control transfers to the end of the switch statement after the case executes. If no cases match, control can transfer to a default case if included or fall through to the statement after the switch.

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66 views11 pages

Understanding Switch Statements in Java

The document discusses the switch statement in Java. It provides the syntax for a switch statement and explains that it evaluates an expression and attempts to match the result to possible case values. A match must be an exact match. Each case contains a value and list of statements. If a break statement is included, control transfers to the end of the switch statement after the case executes. If no cases match, control can transfer to a default case if included or fall through to the statement after the switch.

Uploaded by

topherski
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Switch Statements

Comparing Exact Values

The Switch Statement


The switch statement

provides another way to


decide which statement to
execute next

The switch statement

evaluates an expression,
then attempts to match the
result to one of several
possible cases

The match must be an


exact match.

switch ( expression ){
case value1 :
statement-list1
case value2 :
statement-list2
case value3 :
statement-list3
case ...
}

The Switch Statement


Each case

contains a value
and a list of
statements

The flow of control

transfers to
statement
associated with
the first case value
that matches

switch ( expression ){
case value1 :
statement-list1
case value2 :
statement-list2
case value3 :
statement-list3
case ...
}

Switch - syntax
The general syntax of a switch statement is:
switch
and
case
are
reserved
words

switch ( expression ){
case value1 :
statement-list1
case value2 :
statement-list2
case value3 :
statement-list3
case ...
}

If expression
matches value3,
control jumps
to here

The Switch Statement


The break statement can
be used as the last
statement in each case's
statement list

A break statement causes


control to transfer to the
end of the switch
statement

If a break statement is not

used, the flow of control will


continue into the next case

switch ( expression ){
case value1 :
statement-list1
break;
case value2 :
statement-list2
break;
case value3 :
statement-list3
break;
case ...
}

Switch Example
Examples of the switch statement:
switch (option){
case 'A':
aCount++;
break;
case 'B':
bCount++;
break;
case 'C':
cCount++;
break;
}

Switch no breaks!!!
Another Example:
switch (option){
case 'A':
aCount++;
break;
case 'B':
bCount++;
break;
case 'C':
cCount++;
break;
}

switch (option){
case 'A':
aCount++;
case 'B':
bCount++;
case 'C':
cCount++;
}

Switch - default
A switch statement can have an optional default
case

The default case has no associated value and


simply uses the reserved word default

If the default case is present, control will transfer to


it if no other case value matches

If there is no default case, and no other value

matches, control falls through to the statement after


the switch

The switch Statement


Switch

with
default
case:

switch (option){
case 'A':
aCount++;
break;
case 'B':
bCount++;
break;
case 'C':
cCount++;
break;
default:
otherCount++;
break;
}

To Switch or not to Switch


The expression of a switch statement must result in an
integral type, meaning an integer (byte, short, int,
long) or a char

It cannot be a boolean value or a floating point value


(float or double)

The implicit boolean condition in a switch statement is


equality

You cannot perform relational checks with a switch


statement

Questions??
Toswitchornotto
switch,thatsthe
question.

java/Switch/SwitchExample.java
SwitchNboolean.java
SwithcNothers.java

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