How to Convert an if-else Statement into a switch Statement in Java

Learn how to transform `if-else` conditions into a `switch` statement in Java for cleaner and more efficient code.
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Converting if-else Statements to switch Statements in Java

When programming in Java, you often face situations where you use if-else statements to handle multiple conditions. While this method works just fine, there are instances where a switch statement can make your code more organized and readable. In this post, we will learn how to convert a specific if-else statement into a switch statement using an example involving sandwich types.

Understanding the Problem

In the original code, we have an if-else-if statement that checks the type of sandwich selected and then determines the price based on that choice. Here's a simplified version of the original code:

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The Goal

Our goal is to transform this code into a switch statement while maintaining the same logic and output.

The Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how we can craft a switch statement from the given if-else structure.

Step 1: Setting Up the switch Structure

We start by using the switch keyword followed by the variable we want to evaluate, which is sandwichType.

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Step 2: Defining Cases

We need to replace each if statement with case statements. Instead of using integer values for cases, we'll use the predefined character constants associated with each sandwich type.

For both VEGAN and TUNA, we can group them together:

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For the BLT case:

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For the ROAST BEEF case:

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Step 3: Adding a Default Case

To cover any invalid input that doesn't match our defined cases, we can add a default statement. This acts like the else in the original code:

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Putting It All Together

Here’s how the complete switch statement will look:

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Conclusion

By converting the if-else statements into a switch statement, not only did we clean up the code, but we also enhanced its readability and maintainability. This approach minimizes repetition and aggregates conditions effectively. Next time you have multiple conditions based on a single variable, consider using a switch statement for a cleaner codebase!

Feel free to try out this method in your own projects! Happy coding!