# Switch / Case

Use a `Switch` or `Case` statement if you are going to have many `else if` statements or the condition is not inherently boolean in nature (like the value of a string, for example).

## Switch Syntax

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="C++, Java, and Javascript" %}
Same syntax for C++, Java, Javascript, and many other languages.

```cpp
switch(expression) {
   case value :
      // Code to run
      break; // optional to break out of the switch block
   
   case value :
      // Code to run
      break; // optional to break out of the switch block
   
   /** You can have any number of case statements. **/
   
   default : // Optional case to catch any other possibilities
      // Code to run
}
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Python" %}
Python does not have a Switch / Case implementation. Instead, you use something called a `dictionary` and call it a `switcher`. You can read more about that on your own:

{% embed url="<https://jaxenter.com/implement-switch-case-statement-python-138315.html>" %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Simple Example" %}
An example of switching (in this example, we are switching on a user's input):

```javascript
// Javascript
let userInput = prompt("Please enter a colour", "blue");

switch (userInput) {
   case "red":
      // code for what happens when user enters red
      break;
   case "blue":
      // code for what happens when user enters blue
      break;
   case "black":
      // code for what happens when user enters black
      break;
   case "yellow":
      // code for what happens when user enters yellow
      break;
   default:
      // code for what happens when user enters anything else
}
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="More Examples" %}
Rather than reinventing the wheel, here are some other sites with great content on this topic:

* [Javascript.info](https://javascript.info/switch)
* [Tutorials Teacher](http://www.tutorialsteacher.com/javascript/javascript-switch)
* [Programiz Learn C](https://www.programiz.com/c-programming/c-switch-case-statement)  (this one is in the C language but the concept is the same)
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

## Example 1 - Switch on Number

The following example creates a random number from 1-10 (inclusive) and decides what to do based on that number. The random number is just a way of faking user input or a value from some other function. The example does something specific for numbers 1, 2, 3, 7, and 9 but all the rest fall under the `default` case. You will need to scroll down in the example or [open it in a new window](https://tech.io/snippet/YE9xTAT) due to the length.

{% embed url="<https://tech.io/snippet/YE9xTAT>" %}

## Example 2 - On Text

This example switches on text instead of a number. Same procedure as numbers, just a string instead. You might need to scroll the example or [open it in a new window](https://repl.it/repls/RealisticOffensiveSequence) to see it better.

{% embed url="<https://repl.it/repls/RealisticOffensiveSequence>" %}

## Final Thoughts

The `switch` statement is not used on boolean values. It is strictly meant for multiple options similar to a menu or list. General rule of thumb - when your code is a bunch of `if...else if` statements, it might be better suited for a `switch` statement unless you are using boolean operators (&& and ||).


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