Author: Michal Szymanski
The switch statement is used to perform different actions
based on different conditions.
Use the switch statement to select one of many code blocks to be
executed.
Syntax
switch(expression) {
case x:
// code block
break;
case y:
// 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:
var day;
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";
}
document.getElementById('example-1').innerHTML = day;
Live preview - what day is today?
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.
Note: 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:
var text;
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";
}
document.getElementById('example-2').innerHTML = text;
Live preview
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:
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";
}
Switching Details
If multiple cases matches a case value, the first case is selected.
If no matching cases are found, the program continues to the default label.
If no default label is found, the program continues to the statement(s) after the switch.
Strict Comparison
Switch cases use strict comparison (===).
The values must be of the same type to match.
A strict comparison can only be true if the operands are of the same type.
In this example there will be no match for x:
var x = "0";
switch (x) {
case 0:
text = "Off";
break;
case 1:
text = "On";
break;
default:
text = "No value found";
}
Exercises - test your knowledge
Exercise 1
var fruits = "Banana"
Create a switch statement that will alert "Hello"
if fruits is "Banana", and "Welcome"
if fruits is "Apple".
var fruits = "Banana"
switch (fruits) {
case "Banana":
alert("Hello");
break;
case "Apple":
alert("Welcome");
}
Exercise 2
var fruits = "Mango"
Create a switch statement that will alert "Neither"
if fruits is neither "Banana" nor "Apple".
switch (fruits) {
case "Banana":
alert("Hello");
break;
case "Apple":
alert("Welcome");
break;
default:
alert("Neither");
}
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