Replace your if-else ladder | THE RISE COLLECTION

C# switch expressions, in one minute.

Your if-else ladder can be one expression.

The problem

A ladder to pick one value.

int damage;if ( weapon == Weapon.Sword )    damage = 10;else if ( weapon == Weapon.Bow )    damage = 6;else if ( weapon == Weapon.Fists )    damage = 2;else    damage = 1;

Nine lines to pick one number, and damage is repeated on every branch.

The fix

Match a value, return a value.

A switch expression takes a value, matches it against cases, and returns the result of the first match.

weaponswitch{ case => value }

The fix in code

One expression.

int damage = weapon switch{    Weapon.Sword => 10,    Weapon.Bow   => 6,    Weapon.Fists => 2,    _            => 1,};

Each line is a case and its result. The underscore catches everything else.

Going further

Match ranges too.

string label = health switch{    <= 0  => "Dead",    < 25  => "Critical",    < 100 => "Hurt",    _     => "Healthy",};

Cases can compare, not just match exactly. Checked top to bottom, first match wins.

The rule

Picking a value? Use a switch expression.

Exact match: Weapon.Bow => 6
Ranges: < 25 => "Critical"
Everything else: _ => 1