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The Javascript Switch Statement: Syntax

The document discusses the JavaScript switch statement which allows you to select one of many code blocks to execute based on different conditions. It provides the syntax for a switch statement and explains that the switch expression is evaluated once, its value is compared to the values in each case, and if there is a match, the associated code block will execute. An example is given that uses a switch statement to return the weekday name based on the number returned from the getDay() method.

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Alex Mociran
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151 views

The Javascript Switch Statement: Syntax

The document discusses the JavaScript switch statement which allows you to select one of many code blocks to execute based on different conditions. It provides the syntax for a switch statement and explains that the switch expression is evaluated once, its value is compared to the values in each case, and if there is a match, the associated code block will execute. An example is given that uses a switch statement to return the weekday name based on the number returned from the getDay() method.

Uploaded by

Alex Mociran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The JavaScript Switch Statement

Use the switch statement to select one of many blocks of code to be executed.

Syntax

switch(expression) {
case n:
code block
break;
case n:
code block
break;
default:
code block
}

This is how it works:

 The switch expression is evaluated once.


 The value of the expression is compared with the values of each case.
 If there is a match, the associated block of code is executed.

Example

The getDay() method returns the weekday as a number between 0 and 6.

(Sunday=0, Monday=1, Tuesday=2 ..)

This example uses the weekday number to calculate the weekday name:

switch (new Date().getDay()) {


case 0:
day = "Sunday";
break;
case 1:
day = "Monday";
break;
case 2:
day = "Tuesday";
break;
case 3:
day = "Wednesday";
break;
case 4:
day = "Thursday";
break;
case 5:
day = "Friday";
break;
case 6:
day = "Saturday";
}

The result of day will be:

Thursday

The switch statement is used to perform different actions based on different conditions.

The JavaScript Switch Statement


Use the switch statement to select one of many blocks of code to be executed.

Syntax

switch(expression) {
case n:
code block
break;
case n:
code block
break;
default:
code block
}

This is how it works:

 The switch expression is evaluated once.


 The value of the expression is compared with the values of each case.
 If there is a match, the associated block of code is executed.

Example
The getDay() method returns the weekday as a number between 0 and 6.

(Sunday=0, Monday=1, Tuesday=2 ..)

This example uses the weekday number to calculate the weekday name:

switch (new Date().getDay()) {


case 0:
day = "Sunday";
break;
case 1:
day = "Monday";
break;
case 2:
day = "Tuesday";
break;
case 3:
day = "Wednesday";
break;
case 4:
day = "Thursday";
break;
case 5:
day = "Friday";
break;
case 6:
day = "Saturday";
}

The result of day will be:

Thursday

The break Keyword


When JavaScript reaches a break keyword, it breaks out of the switch block.

This will stop the execution of more code and case testing inside the block.

When a match is found, and the job is done, it's time for a break. There is no need for more
testing.

A break can save a lot of execution time because it "ignores" the execution of all the rest of the
code in the switch block.
It is not necessary to break the last case in a switch block. The block breaks (ends) there anyway.

The default Keyword


The default keyword specifies the code to run if there is no case match:

Example

The getDay() method returns the weekday as a number between 0 and 6.

If today is neither Saturday (6) nor Sunday (0), write a default message:

switch (new Date().getDay()) {


case 6:
text = "Today is Saturday";
break;
case 0:
text = "Today is Sunday";
break;
default:
text = "Looking forward to the Weekend";
}

The result of text will be:

Looking forward to the Weekend

The default case does not have to be the last case in a switch block:

Example

switch (new Date().getDay()) {


default:
text = "Looking forward to the Weekend";
break;
case 6:
text = "Today is Saturday";
break;
case 0:
text = "Today is Sunday";
}

If default is not the last case in the switch block, remember to end the default case with a break.
Common Code Blocks
Sometimes you will want different switch cases to use the same code.

In this example case 4 and 5 share the same code block, and 0 and 6 share another code block:

Example

switch (new Date().getDay()) {


case 4:
case 5:
text = "Soon it is Weekend";
break;
case 0:
case 6:
text = "It is Weekend";
break;
default:
text = "Looking forward to the Weekend";
}

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