if/else -vs- switch

TimTimTimma

I was at work today relaxing on my break, and began to ponder, Switches an d if statements. They are almost literally the same. Like for instance..

<?php

$var = $_GET['variable']

switch ($var)
{
case 1:
echo "This is 1";
break;

case 2:
echo "This is 2";
break;

default;
echo "This is the default";
break;
}

?>

Does the same thing as

<?php

$var = $_GET['variable'];

if($var == 1){
echo "This is 1";
}elseif($var == 2){
echo "This is 2";
}else{
echo "This is the default";
}

?>

I myself prefer If/Else statements, because they seem easier to roll through and browse, then a switch. The only difference between a If/Else statments that I can see is that with an if statement you cancheck to see if something is TRUE/FALSE Where as in a Switch, you are just checking for values. But, back to the point, would it really make difference in which you used?

bodzan

...if your case searching would be done in three rows...

But for the case when you're searching among more than 10 values switch is the way to go (once I had a case where I had to search between 32 different values)...

It has a minor impact on the performance also but like I said if smaller statements there are no real differences, if I'm not mistaken...

TimTimTimma

I just always use if/else statements because to me, personally, they are easier to keep track of and structure, and follow, I haven't but a hand full of times used switch. Which more then likely all where for showing people how to use it or using it in an example like above :-P

leatherback

If there is more then 2 options I always use a switch.

They -must be- quicker: you only have to look for the right value, and de not need to evaluated each statement, and are in my view much more efficient tot code / given you cleaner codes. No need to keep track of opening / closing brackets etcetc.

Besides.. The switch was made for these things..

bradgrafelman

Where as in a Switch, you are just checking for values.

Well, basically you're doing the same thing for an IF statement, aren't you? You give it to values, a comparison operator, and whether or not it's true/false (depending on your operator) it executes the code.

I can't think of a case off the top of my head where you could use it in an IF statement but not in a switch statement. I'm not saying there aren't any, and that switch statements are easier (for the programmer) to write, because I believe they aren't, just like you stated.

Who knows.

[/my $.02]

halojoy

Originally posted by leatherback
If there is more then 2 options I always use a switch.

They -must be- quicker: you only have to look for the right value, and de not need to evaluated each statement, and are in my view much more efficient tot code / given you cleaner codes. No need to keep track of opening / closing brackets etcetc.

Besides.. The switch was made for these things..

J.

I agree with leatherback

TimTimTimma

well I recently did an overview of my entire CMS I am building, and it appears there are only a few places I can put the switch function, 90% of where I am checking for error/ success variable values, lol. All others are if/else statements that are checking if certain variables are set or not.

bradgrafelman

switch (isset($myvar)) {
    case TRUE:
        echo "It's set!";
        break;

case FALSE:
    echo "It's not set :(";
    break;
}

TimTimTimma

but it seems to make more sense to use a if/else statement for that, that seems almost pointless, because then you would just be using switches in switches in switches..same as if's in if's in if's!

bradgrafelman

while(!is_finite('this_topic')) {
    $_POST['reply'] = TRUE;
}

:bemused: