Switch expression behavior in Go

Introduction

A switch expression helps you choose one action from many options easily. It makes your code cleaner and easier to read than many if-else statements.

When you want to run different code based on the value of a variable.

When you have many possible cases to check and want clear code.

When you want to replace multiple if-else statements with simpler syntax.

When you want to handle different types or values in a neat way.

Syntax

Go

switch variable {
case value1:
    // code for value1
case value2:
    // code for value2
default:
    // code if no case matches
}

The switch keyword starts the switch expression.

Each case checks for a value to match the variable.

Examples

This example prints a message depending on the day string.

Go

switch day {
case "Monday":
    fmt.Println("Start of the week")
case "Friday":
    fmt.Println("Almost weekend")
default:
    fmt.Println("Just another day")
}

You can group multiple values in one case separated by commas.

Go

switch number {
case 1, 3, 5:
    fmt.Println("Odd number")
case 2, 4, 6:
    fmt.Println("Even number")
default:
    fmt.Println("Unknown number")
}

Switch can be used without a variable to check conditions directly.

Go

switch {
case x < 0:
    fmt.Println("Negative")
case x == 0:
    fmt.Println("Zero")
case x > 0:
    fmt.Println("Positive")
}

Sample Program

This program uses a switch expression without a variable to check score ranges and print the grade.

Go

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    score := 85
    switch {
    case score >= 90:
        fmt.Println("Grade: A")
    case score >= 80:
        fmt.Println("Grade: B")
    case score >= 70:
        fmt.Println("Grade: C")
    default:
        fmt.Println("Grade: F")
    }
}

Important Notes

Switch cases stop checking after the first match, so no need for break statements.

You can use expressions in cases, not just fixed values.

The default case runs if no other case matches.

Summary

Switch expressions let you pick one action from many choices clearly.

They can check values or conditions directly.

Switch stops after the first matching case, making code simple and clean.

Practice

1. What does a switch statement do in Go?

easy

A. It runs all cases one after another.

B. It chooses one case to run based on a value or condition.

C. It only works with numbers, not strings.

D. It repeats the same case multiple times automatically.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand switch purpose

   A switch statement selects one matching case based on a value or condition.

2. Step 2: Confirm behavior

   It stops after the first matching case, so only one case runs.

3. Final Answer:

   It chooses one case to run based on a value or condition. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Switch picks one matching case [OK]

Hint: Switch picks only the first matching case [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking switch runs all cases
• Believing switch only works with numbers
• Assuming switch repeats cases automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for a basic switch statement in Go?

easy

A. switch (value) { case 1: doSomething() default: doDefault() }

B. switch value do { case 1: doSomething() default: doDefault() }

C. switch value then { case 1: doSomething() default: doDefault() }

D. switch value { case 1: doSomething() default: doDefault() }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Go switch syntax

   Go uses switch value { case ... } without parentheses or extra keywords.

2. Step 2: Check options

   switch value { case 1: doSomething() default: doDefault() } matches correct syntax; others add invalid keywords or parentheses.

3. Final Answer:

   switch value { case 1: doSomething() default: doDefault() } -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Go switch uses braces, no parentheses [OK]

Hint: No parentheses around switch value in Go [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding parentheses around switch value
• Using 'then' or 'do' keywords incorrectly
• Misplacing braces or colons

3. What is the output of this Go code?

package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
  x := 3
  switch x {
  case 1:
    fmt.Println("One")
  case 2, 3:
    fmt.Println("Two or Three")
  default:
    fmt.Println("Other")
  }
}

medium

A. One

B. Other

C. Two or Three

D. No output

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify switch value and cases

   Variable x is 3. The switch checks cases 1, then 2 or 3, then default.

2. Step 2: Match case

   Case 2, 3 matches because x is 3, so it prints "Two or Three".

3. Final Answer:

   Two or Three -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   3 matches case 2,3 [OK]

Hint: Check all case values including multiple ones [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring multiple values in one case
• Choosing default instead of matching case
• Assuming case 3 is separate from case 2

4. Identify the error in this Go switch code:

package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
  x := 5
  switch {
  case x == 1:
    fmt.Println("One")
  case x == 5:
    fmt.Println("Five")
  case x == 10:
    fmt.Println("Ten")
  }
}

medium

A. No error; code runs and prints "Five"

B. Switch expression is missing a value but cases use conditions

C. Missing default case causes error

D. Case statements must be constants, not conditions

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand switch without expression

   Switch without a value allows cases to be conditions (boolean expressions).

2. Step 2: Check cases and output

   x is 5, so case x == 5 is true, printing "Five". No error occurs.

3. Final Answer:

   No error; code runs and prints "Five" -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Switch without value uses conditions [OK]

Hint: Switch without value uses boolean cases [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking default is mandatory
• Assuming switch must have a value
• Believing case conditions are invalid

5. Given this Go code, what will be printed?

package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
  score := 75
  switch {
  case score >= 90:
    fmt.Println("Grade A")
  case score >= 80:
    fmt.Println("Grade B")
  case score >= 70:
    fmt.Println("Grade C")
  default:
    fmt.Println("Fail")
  }
}

hard

A. Grade C

B. Grade B

C. Fail

D. Grade A

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze switch without expression

   Switch uses conditions in cases, evaluated top to bottom.

2. Step 2: Evaluate conditions for score = 75

   score >= 90 is false, score >= 80 is false, score >= 70 is true, so prints "Grade C" and stops.

3. Final Answer:

   Grade C -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   First true case runs, here score >= 70 [OK]

Hint: Switch stops at first true condition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring order of cases
• Assuming all true cases print
• Confusing >= with >