Java switch Statement

In java, the switch statement is used to check multiple conditions like else-if statement.

The switch statement will select one of the code blocks and executes it.

Syntax for switch statement

switch(expression) {
  case x:
    // code block
    break;
  case y:
    // code block
    break;
  default:
    // code block
}

Let us see a program to get a choice from the user, whether to perform addition or subtraction or division or multiplication. Then get 2 numbers from the user and perform the opertion based on the option provided.

Example program for switch statement

import java.util.*;

class Main {
  public static void main(String[] args) {

    int choice, a, b;
    Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
    System.out.println("Select an option:");
    System.out.println("1. Addition");
    System.out.println("2. Subtraction");
    System.out.println("3. Multiplication");
    System.out.println("4. Division");
    System.out.println("5. Modulus");
    System.out.println("6. Exit");
    System.out.println("Enter your choice: ");
    choice = scanner.nextInt();

    System.out.println("Enter two numbers: ");
    a = scanner.nextInt();
    b = scanner.nextInt();

    switch (choice) {
    case 1:
      System.out.printf("%d + %d = %d\n", a, b, (a + b));
      break;
    case 2:
      System.out.printf("%d - %d = %d\n", a, b, (a - b));
      break;
    case 3:
      System.out.printf("%d * %d = %d\n", a, b, (a * b));
      break;
    case 4:
      System.out.printf("%d / %d = %d\n", a, b, (a / b));
      break;
    case 5:
      System.out.printf("%d %% %d = %d\n", a, b, (a % b));
      break;
    case 6:
      System.out.printf("Exiting...\n");
      break;
    default:
      System.out.printf("Invalid choice\n");
    }
  }
}

Output

Select an option: 
1. Addition
2. Subtraction
3. Multiplication
4. Division
5. Modulus
6. Exit
Enter your choice: 
3
Enter two numbers: 
5 4
5 * 4 = 20

In the above program, we get the a choice from the user. Then provide the value to the switch statement.

Now the case statement will check whether the value is of the choice is 1.

If the choice is 1, then it will perform addition on the variable a and b and breaks from the switch block and moves out of the switch block.

If the condition is not satisfied, then it will go to the next case statement performs the check condition as above.

If no condition(s) are satisfied, then the default statement will be executed.