Skip Top Navigation Bar

Switch Expressions - Determine a Value

Before you learn about switch expressions, you may want to review the tutorial on Switch Statements

Switch Expressions

How are switch expressions different from switch statements?

  • Switch expressions yield a value, typically assigned to a variable.
  • Switch expressions require a ; at the end.

Basic Structure of a Switch Expression

<type> returnVariable = switch (<variable>) { 
   case <value> -> //value to assign if variable == value ;
   //additional case statements
   default -> //value to assign if no case values match the value of variable ;
}; 

Your Turn

Let's try it in the Java Playground.

  • A student's grade is being stored in int grade, but we want to present the String representation of the student's grade: Freshman for 9; Sophomore for 10; Junior for 11, and Senior for 12. For all other values, the grade level should be Not in High School.
  • The solution is started below, predict the output of the code.
  • Run the code and determine if your prediction is correct.
  • Add to the code below to address each case and the default case.
  • Run the code with grade having the values: 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Evaluate whether it will output the correct value.

Resources

Calculator - Using Conditionals and Lambda Mini-Lab

Next Learn Tutorial