Title: Key Concept - Switch Statement
Course: CPS 189: Java Certification - Review, Practice & Prepare (Development) > Section: (OLDstyle) Learning Modules

Like the if statement, the switch statement also supports decision-making.

The switch statement functions similar to the if statement but can be more readable when deciding among several blocks.

- switch statement syntax:

switch (<switch-expression>)
{
case <case-expression-1>:
<block-1>;
break;
case <case-expression-2>:
<block-2>;
break;
...
case <case-expression-n>:
<block-n>;
break;
default:
<block-n>;
break;
}

- The <switch-expression>  and <case-expression>  must be the same data type.
- The expressions may be one of the following data types:
  - Primitive types byte, short, char, or int
  - Enumerated
  - String
- The <switch-expression> is compared with each until:
  - A match is found.
  - An optional default case is reached,
  - The end of the switch statement.
- If a match is found, then all statements following the matching <case-expression> are executed until:
  - An optional break statement is reached.
  - The end of the switch statement.

For more informationabout the switch statement:

- Click this link to view Oracles's documentation: The Switch Statement.
- Leve1 Study Materials: Unit 2