The Power of Switch Expressions in C#

Introduction: Switch statements have been a fundamental part of C# for a long time, offering a way to conditionally execute blocks of code. However, with the introduction of switch expressions in C# 8, a more concise and expressive way to handle multiple cases emerged. In this article, we'll explore why using switch expressions can be advantageous over the traditional switch statement.

using System;

public class SwitchExample
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        int day = 3;

        switch (day)
        {
            case 1:
                Console.WriteLine("Monday");
                break;
            case 2:
                Console.WriteLine("Tuesday");
                break;
            case 3:
                Console.WriteLine("Wednesday");
                break;
            case 4:
                Console.WriteLine("Thursday");
                break;
            case 5:
                Console.WriteLine("Friday");
                break;
            default:
                Console.WriteLine("Weekend");
                break;
        }
    }
}        

The Evolution with Switch Expressions: Now, let's compare it to the more modern switch expression syntax:

using System;

public class SwitchExample
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        int day = 3;

        string dayOfWeek = day switch
        {
            1 => "Monday",
            2 => "Tuesday",
            3 => "Wednesday",
            4 => "Thursday",
            5 => "Friday",
            _ => "Weekend"
        };

        Console.WriteLine(dayOfWeek);
    }
}        

Advantages of Switch Expressions:

1. Conciseness: Switch expressions provide a more concise syntax, reducing boilerplate code and making it easier to read and maintain.
2. Immutable Results: Switch expressions naturally support immutability, contributing to a more functional programming style by creating immutable variables.
3. Value Semantics: Switch expressions are expressions, meaning they return a value. This supports the functional programming paradigm and can be utilized in a more expressive manner.
4. Pattern Matching: Switch expressions integrate well with pattern matching, allowing for more complex and flexible matching scenarios.

Conclusion: While the traditional switch statement is still valid and widely used, the switch expression syntax offers a more modern and expressive alternative. Consider adopting switch expressions in your C# code for improved readability and maintainability.