How to use greater than or equal in a switch statement

Question

What is the best way to check if variable is bigger than some number using switch statement? Or you reccomend to use if-else? I found such an example:

int i;

i         


        

Answer 1

A switch statement is for running code when specific values are returned, the if then else allows you to select a range of values in one statement. I would recommend doing something like the following (though I personnally prefer the Integer.signum method) should you want to look at multiple ranges:

int i;

if (var1 > var2) {
  i = 1;
}
else if (var1 == var2) {
  i = 0;
}
else {
  i = -1;
}

Answer 2

Not sure if this is what you're asking, but you could do it this way:

int var1;
int var2;

int signum = Long.signum((long)var1 - var2);
switch(signum) {
    case -1: break;
    case 0: break;
    case 1: break;
}

Answer 3

You're better off with the if statements; the switch approach is much less clear, and in this case, your switch approach is objectively wrong. The contract for Comparable#compareTo does not require returning -1 or 1, just that the value of the returned int be negative or positive. It's entirely legitimate for compareTo to return -42, and your switch statement would drop the result.

Answer 4

Unfortunately you cannot do that in java. It's possible in CoffeeScript or other languages.

I would recommend to use an if-else-statement by moving your "do stuff" in extra methods. In that way you can keep your if-else in a clearly readable code.

Answer 5

Java only supports direct values, not ranges in case statements, so if you must use a switch, mapping to options first, then switching on that, as in the example you provide is your only choice. However that is quite excessive - just use the if statements.

Answer 6

I would strongly recommend a if(var1>var2){}else if (var1==var2) {} else {} construct. Using a switch here will hide the intent. And what if a break is removed by error?

Switch is useful and clear for enumerated values, not for comparisons.