Java Tutorial - Switch Statement

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.



There are following rules apply to a switch statement:

1st
The variable used in a switch statement can only be integers, convertable integers (byte, short, char), strings and enums

2nd
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.

3rd
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.

4th
When the variable being switched on is equal to a case, the statements following that case will execute until a break statement is reached.

5th
When a break statement is reached, the switch terminates, and the flow of control jumps to the next line following the switch statement.

6th
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.

7th
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.