Documentation Index
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case
Case statements are used within switch constructs to define different execution paths based on matching values. Each case specifies one or more values to match against and the code to execute when matched.
Basic Case Usage
Cases are used inside switch statements:
command = "start"
switch (command) {
case "start":
println("Starting application")
initialize()
break
case "stop":
println("Stopping application")
cleanup()
break
default:
println("Unknown command")
}
Multiple Values per Case
A single case can match multiple values:
dayOfWeek = "saturday"
switch (dayOfWeek) {
case "saturday", "sunday":
println("It's weekend!")
break
case "monday", "tuesday", "wednesday", "thursday", "friday":
println("It's a weekday")
break
default:
println("Invalid day")
}
Case with Different Data Types
Cases can match different types of values:
value = 42
switch (value) {
case 0:
println("Zero")
break
case 1, 2, 3:
println("Small number")
break
case "hello":
println("String greeting")
break
case true:
println("Boolean true")
break
default:
println("Other value: " + value)
}
Case with Expressions
Cases can use expressions as values:
score = 85
switch (score) {
case 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100:
println("Grade: A")
break
case 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89:
println("Grade: B")
break
case 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79:
println("Grade: C")
break
default:
println("Grade: F")
}
Case with Complex Logic
Each case can contain complex code blocks:
action = "process"
switch (action) {
case "process":
println("Processing data...")
// Complex processing logic
data = loadData()
if (data != null) {
result = transformData(data)
saveResult(result)
println("Processing complete")
} else {
println("No data to process")
}
break
case "cleanup":
println("Cleaning up...")
// Cleanup logic
clearCache()
closeConnections()
println("Cleanup complete")
break
default:
println("No action specified")
}
Nested Switch Cases
Cases can contain nested switch statements:
category = "user"
operation = "create"
switch (category) {
case "user":
switch (operation) {
case "create":
println("Creating user")
break
case "update":
println("Updating user")
break
case "delete":
println("Deleting user")
break
default:
println("Unknown user operation")
}
break
case "product":
switch (operation) {
case "create":
println("Creating product")
break
case "update":
println("Updating product")
break
default:
println("Unknown product operation")
}
break
default:
println("Unknown category")
}
Fall-through Behavior
Without break, cases fall through to the next case:
level = 2
switch (level) {
case 1:
println("Level 1 access")
// falls through
case 2:
println("Level 2 access")
// falls through
case 3:
println("Level 3 access")
break
default:
println("No access")
}
// Output for level 2: "Level 2 access" and "Level 3 access"
Case with Function Calls
Cases can call functions:
userRole = "admin"
switch (userRole) {
case "admin":
grantAdminAccess()
setupAdminDashboard()
logAdminLogin()
break
case "user":
grantUserAccess()
setupUserDashboard()
logUserLogin()
break
case "guest":
grantGuestAccess()
setupGuestView()
break
default:
denyAccess()
logInvalidRole(userRole)
}
Case with Variable Assignments
Cases can perform variable assignments:
status = "active"
permissions = []
switch (status) {
case "active":
permissions = ["read", "write", "execute"]
isEnabled = true
break
case "inactive":
permissions = ["read"]
isEnabled = false
break
case "suspended":
permissions = []
isEnabled = false
break
default:
permissions = []
isEnabled = false
}
Best Practices
- Always use break: Prevent unintended fall-through
- Include default case: Handle unexpected values
- Keep cases simple: Complex logic should be in functions
- Group related values: Use multiple values per case when logical
// Good - clear and organized
soul handleHttpStatus(status) {
switch (status) {
case 200, 201, 202:
return handleSuccess()
case 400, 401, 403:
return handleClientError()
case 500, 501, 502, 503:
return handleServerError()
default:
return handleUnknownStatus(status)
}
}
