Switch Statement in Java
A switch statement allows a variable to be tested for equality against a list of values. Each value is called a case, and the variable being switched on is checked for each case. Let us first see the syntax −
switch(expression) {
case value :
// Statements
break; // optional
case value :
// Statements
break; // optional
// You can have any number of case statements.
default : // Optional
// Statements
}Following are the rules that apply to a switch statement in Java −
The variable used in a switch statement can only be integers, convertable integers (byte, short, char), strings and enums.
You can have any number of case statements within a switch. Each case is followed by the value to be compared to and a colon.
The value for a case must be the same data type as the variable in the switch and it must be a constant or a literal.
When the variable being switched on is equal to a case, the statements following that case will execute until a break statement is reached.
When a break statement is reached, the switch terminates, and the flow of control jumps to the next line following the switch statement.
Not every case needs to contain a break. If no break appears, the flow of control will fall through to subsequent cases until a break is reached.
A switch statement can have an optional default case, which must appear at the end of the switch. The default case can be used for performing a task when none of the cases is true. No break is needed in the default case.
Let us now see an example −
Example
public class Demo {
public static void main(String args[]) {
char grade = 'B';
switch(grade) {
case 'A' :
System.out.println("Excellent!");
break;
case 'B' :
case 'C' :
System.out.println("Well done");
break;
case 'D' :
System.out.println("You passed");
case 'F' :
System.out.println("Better try again");
break;
default :
System.out.println("Invalid grade");
}
System.out.println("Your grade is " + grade);
}
}Output
Well done
Your grade is B
Published on 24-Sep-2019 10:52:17
