Switch Statement

The `switch` statement provides a clean and structured way to compare an expression's value against a series of `case` clauses. It's often used as a more readable alternative to a lengthy `if...else if...else` chain when all comparisons are against a single variable. The `switch` statement evaluates an expression once, and then the value of the expression is compared with the value of each `case`. If a match is found, the associated block of code is executed. A crucial part of the `switch` statement is the `break` keyword. After a matching `case` block is executed, the `break` statement is needed to exit the `switch` block. If you omit `break`, execution will 'fall through' to the next `case` block, which can be useful in some advanced scenarios but is a common source of bugs for beginners. A `default` case can also be included. This case will be executed if none of the `case` values match the expression's value. It serves a similar purpose to the final `else` in an `if...else` chain. Using `switch` is particularly effective when you have a discrete set of possible values for a variable, such as days of the week, application states, or user roles, as it makes the code's intent clearer and more organized.