Switch-case best practices for coding beginners

Introduction

Switch-case statements are a powerful tool in programming that allow you to execute different blocks of code based on the value of a variable. They are commonly used in many programming languages, including C++, Java, and JavaScript. For coding beginners, understanding how to use switch-case statements effectively can help improve the readability and efficiency of your code.

When to Use Switch-Case

Switch-case statements are ideal when you have a variable that can take on multiple different values and you want to execute different code blocks based on those values. This is much more concise and readable than using multiple if-else statements. However, switch-case statements are best suited for situations where you have a limited number of possible values for the variable. If you have a large number of possible values, a series of if-else statements may be more appropriate.

Best Practices

When using switch-case statements, there are some best practices to keep in mind. First, always include a default case to handle any unexpected values that the variable may take on. This helps prevent your program from crashing or behaving unexpectedly. Additionally, make sure to break each case after executing the corresponding code block. This prevents «fall-through,» where execution continues into the next case even if the value doesn’t match.

Example

Here’s an example of how you might use a switch-case statement in JavaScript to determine the day of the week based on a numeric value:

const day = 3;

switch (day) {
  case 1:
    console.log("Monday");
    break;
  case 2:
    console.log("Tuesday");
    break;
  case 3:
    console.log("Wednesday");
    break;
  case 4:
    console.log("Thursday");
    break;
  case 5:
    console.log("Friday");
    break;
  default:
    console.log("Invalid day");
}

In this example, the switch-case statement evaluates the value of the variable «day» and logs the corresponding day of the week. If the value is not 1-5, it logs «Invalid day» thanks to the default case. This is a simple yet effective use of switch-case for beginners.