The switch statement in PHP is used to perform different actions based on different conditions. It is an alternative to multiple if...elseif statements, making code more readable and efficient.
switch (expression) {
case value1:
// Code to execute if expression == value1
break;
case value2:
// Code to execute if expression == value2
break;
default:
// Code to execute if no case matches
}
✔ The break statement prevents execution from falling through to the next case.
✔ The default case executes if no match is found (optional).
Example 1: Simple Switch Statement
$day = "Monday";
switch ($day) {
case "Monday":
echo "Start of the workweek!";
break;
case "Friday":
echo "Weekend is near!";
break;
case "Sunday":
echo "Relax, it's the weekend!";
break;
default:
echo "It's just another day!";
}
✔ If $day = "Monday", output will be "Start of the workweek!"
$grade = 85;
switch (true) {
case ($grade >= 90):
echo "Grade: A";
break;
case ($grade >= 80):
echo "Grade: B";
break;
case ($grade >= 70):
echo "Grade: C";
break;
default:
echo "Grade: F";
}
✔ If $grade = 85, output will be "Grade: B"
When to Use Switch?
✔ When checking one variable against multiple values
✔ When avoiding multiple if...elseif statements
✔ When handling menu selections, user roles, or status codes
Conclusion
✔ switch is useful for cleaner and more readable code.
✔ Use break to prevent execution from falling through cases.
✔ default runs when no cases match (optional). 🚀