C# Switch Statement

The switch statement in C# is used to execute one block of code from many choices. It is a clean alternative to long if...else if chains when comparing a single value.

Basic `switch` Syntax

int day = 3;

switch (day)
{
case 1:
Console.WriteLine("Monday");
break;

case 2:
Console.WriteLine("Tuesday");
break;

case 3:
Console.WriteLine("Wednesday");
break;

default:
Console.WriteLine("Invalid day");
break;
}

int day = 3;

switch (day)

{

case 1:

Console.WriteLine("Monday");

break;

case 2:

Console.WriteLine("Tuesday");

break;

case 3:

Console.WriteLine("Wednesday");

break;

default:

Console.WriteLine("Invalid day");

break;

}

How `switch` Works

The expression is evaluated once
Value is compared with each case
break exits the switch block
default runs if no case matches

Switch with `string`

string color = "red";

switch (color)
{
case "red":
Console.WriteLine("Stop");
break;

case "green":
Console.WriteLine("Go");
break;

case "yellow":
Console.WriteLine("Ready");
break;

default:
Console.WriteLine("Unknown color");
break;
}

string color = "red";

switch (color)

{

case "red":

Console.WriteLine("Stop");

break;

case "green":

Console.WriteLine("Go");

break;

case "yellow":

Console.WriteLine("Ready");

break;

default:

Console.WriteLine("Unknown color");

break;

}

Multiple Cases with Same Code

Switch Without `break` (Fall-through)

❌ Not allowed in C# unless cases are empty.

Switch with `enum`

enum Status { Active, Inactive, Pending }

Status userStatus = Status.Active;

switch (userStatus)
{
case Status.Active:
Console.WriteLine("User is active");
break;

case Status.Inactive:
Console.WriteLine("User is inactive");
break;

default:
Console.WriteLine("Pending");
break;
}

enum Status { Active, Inactive, Pending }

Status userStatus = Status.Active;

switch (userStatus)

{

case Status.Active:

Console.WriteLine("User is active");

break;

case Status.Inactive:

Console.WriteLine("User is inactive");

break;

default:

Console.WriteLine("Pending");

break;

}

Modern C# Switch Expression (Advanced)

When to Use `switch`

✔ Many fixed values
✔ Cleaner than if-else
✔ Works with int, char, string, enum

Summary

✔ switch selects one case
✔ break prevents fall-through
✔ default handles unmatched cases
✔ Switch expressions are concise

C# Switch Statement