Switch Vs If Else

Difference Between Switch Statement and If Else If Ladder Statement in C

Switch Statement:

The switch statement functions similarly to an else-if ladder statement by offering a way to handle multiple conditions. It evaluates the value of a variable or expression against a range of cases or values. When a match is identified, the corresponding block of code is executed; otherwise, the default case is triggered.

The format of a switch-case statement can be illustrated as:

Example


switch(expression)
{
   case constant-1
       block-1;
       break;
   case constant-2
       block-2;
       break;
 default:
       default_block;
}

if-else-if ladder statement :

The if-else-if ladder statement manages the execution of statements based on specific conditions. Each statement is assessed by the compiler to determine if the condition is true or false. When a true condition is identified, the associated statements are executed. If the condition is false, the compiler proceeds to evaluate the next else if statement. This process continues until a true condition is met or the end of the else if ladder is reached.

The structure of an if-else-if ladder statement can be illustrated as:

Example


if( condition 1)
   statement 1;
else if (condition 2)
   statement 2;
else
   default statement;

Here are the variances between the switch statement and the if-else-if ladder statement:

✅ The switch statement is used to select one choice among many alternatives based on the value of an expression.
✅ On the other hand, the if-else-if ladder statement is used to choose from multiple options based on multiple conditions.
✅ The switch statement can only evaluate integral types like int, char, or enum constants.
✅ In contrast, the if-else-if ladder statement can evaluate any type of expression that results in a boolean value.
✅ The switch statement provides a cleaner and more organized way to handle multiple conditions compared to nested if-else statements.
✅ However, the if-else-if ladder statement offers more flexibility in terms of evaluating complex conditions and executing different blocks of code accordingly.

Sr.No	switch statement	if-else-if ladder statement
`1.`	The expression used in switch statement can return an integer or character.	The expression used in if-else-if ladder statement returns true or false value.
`2.`	switch statement has more flexibility.	if-else-if ladder statement have poor flexibility.
`3.`	This statement is easy to handle.	This statement is difficult to handle.
`4.`	In switch statement each case of switch the last statement must be the break statement.	In if-else-if ladder statement there is no necessity of break statement.
`5.`	There is no need to put the multiple statements of a case into braces.	Multiple statements of if-else-if ladder statement must be within braces.
`6.`	switch statement have clearer format than if-else-if ladder statement.	if-else-if ladder statement have a complex format.
`7.`	In switch statement the keyword switch, case and default are used.	In if-else-if ladder statement the keyword if and else are used.

Difference Between Switch Statement and If Else If Ladder Statement in C

Switch Statement:

if-else-if ladder statement :

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