Switch vs if comparison in Java - Practice Questions

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of switch with fall-through

What is the output of this Java code snippet?

Java

int x = 2;
switch (x) {
  case 1:
    System.out.print("One ");
  case 2:
    System.out.print("Two ");
  case 3:
    System.out.print("Three ");
    break;
  default:
    System.out.print("Default ");
}

A Two Three

B One Two Three

C Two

D Default

💡 Hint

Remember that switch cases fall through unless you use break.

Since x is 2, execution starts at case 2 and continues through case 3 until break. So it prints "Two Three ".

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

If-else equivalent output

What is the output of this if-else code equivalent to the previous switch?

Java

int x = 2;
if (x == 1) {
  System.out.print("One ");
} else if (x == 2) {
  System.out.print("Two ");
} else if (x == 3) {
  System.out.print("Three ");
} else {
  System.out.print("Default ");
}

A One Two Three

B Default

C Two Three

D Two

💡 Hint

If-else does not fall through cases.

The if-else checks conditions one by one and executes only the matching block, so only "Two " is printed.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Switch expression with yield

What is the value of variable result after this Java switch expression runs?

Java

int x = 3;
String result = switch (x) {
  case 1 -> "One";
  case 2 -> "Two";
  case 3 -> {
    yield "Three";
  }
  default -> "Default";
};
System.out.print(result);

A One

B Default

C Three

D Two

💡 Hint

Switch expressions use yield to return values from blocks.

For x=3, the case 3 block yields "Three", so result is "Three".

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Switch with multiple labels output

What does this code print?

Java

int day = 5;
switch (day) {
  case 1, 2, 3 -> System.out.print("Start");
  case 4, 5, 6 -> System.out.print("Middle");
  case 7 -> System.out.print("End");
  default -> System.out.print("Unknown");
}

A Middle

B Start

C End

D Unknown

💡 Hint

Multiple labels can be combined with commas in switch cases.

Day 5 matches case 4,5,6 so it prints "Middle".

❓ Predict Output

expert

Switch vs if with null value

What happens when this code runs?

Java

String s = null;
switch (s) {
  case "a" -> System.out.print("A");
  case "b" -> System.out.print("B");
  default -> System.out.print("Default");
}

if (s == null) {
  System.out.print("Null");
} else if (s.equals("a")) {
  System.out.print("A");
} else {
  System.out.print("Other");
}

A DefaultNull

B Throws NullPointerException

C NullA

D NullDefault

💡 Hint

Switch on null reference causes an exception.

Switch on a null String throws NullPointerException, but the if-else handles null safely.

Practice

1. Which statement best describes when to use switch instead of if in Java?

easy

A. switch is best for checking many fixed values of a single variable.

B. switch can handle complex conditions like ranges easily.

C. if is only for checking equality, not ranges.

D. if cannot be used with multiple conditions.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand switch usage

   switch works well when you have one variable and many fixed values to compare against.

2. Step 2: Compare with if

   if can handle any condition, including ranges and complex expressions, but switch is simpler for fixed values.

3. Final Answer:

   switch is best for checking many fixed values of a single variable. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use switch for fixed values = B [OK]

Hint: Use switch for fixed values, if for ranges or complex checks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking switch can handle ranges
• Believing if is only for equality
• Assuming switch works with multiple variables
• Confusing switch with if-else chains

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

easy

A. switch (variable) { case 1: doSomething(); break; default: doDefault(); }

B. switch variable { case 1: doSomething(); break; default: doDefault(); }

C. switch (variable) do { case 1: doSomething(); break; default: doDefault(); }

D. switch (variable) { case 1 doSomething(); break; default doDefault(); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check switch syntax structure

   The correct syntax requires parentheses around the variable and braces enclosing cases.

2. Step 2: Verify case and break usage

   Each case ends with a colon and usually a break statement to prevent fall-through.

3. Final Answer:

   switch (variable) { case 1: doSomething(); break; default: doDefault(); } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct switch syntax uses parentheses and colons = A [OK]

Hint: Remember switch needs parentheses and colons for cases [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses around variable
• Using braces instead of colons after case
• Missing break statements causing fall-through
• Incorrect placement of default case

3. What will be the output of the following Java code?

int day = 3;
switch(day) {
  case 1: System.out.println("Monday"); break;
  case 2: System.out.println("Tuesday"); break;
  case 3: System.out.println("Wednesday"); break;
  default: System.out.println("Invalid day");
}

medium

A. Monday

B. Tuesday

C. Invalid day

D. Wednesday

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the value of day

   The variable day is set to 3.

2. Step 2: Match day with switch cases

   The case for 3 prints "Wednesday" and then breaks, so no other cases run.

3. Final Answer:

   Wednesday -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   day=3 matches case 3 = C [OK]

Hint: Match variable value to case label, then print [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting break causes fall-through
• Choosing default instead of matching case
• Confusing case numbers
• Assuming if-else output instead of switch

4. Identify the error in this Java code snippet:

int score = 85;
switch(score) {
  case score >= 90: System.out.println("A grade"); break;
  case score >= 80: System.out.println("B grade"); break;
  default: System.out.println("Fail");
}

medium

A. Missing break statements after cases.

B. Cannot use relational expressions in case labels.

C. Switch variable must be a String, not int.

D. Default case must be last.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand switch case label restrictions

   Case labels must be constant values, not expressions like 'score >= 90'.

2. Step 2: Identify why relational expressions cause error

   Relational expressions are evaluated at runtime and cannot be used as case labels in switch.

3. Final Answer:

   Cannot use relational expressions in case labels. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Case labels must be constants = A [OK]

Hint: Case labels must be constants, not conditions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use ranges in switch cases
• Forgetting case labels must be constant
• Assuming switch supports boolean expressions
• Misplacing default case

5. You want to print a message based on an integer score: "Excellent" if score >= 90, "Good" if score >= 75, "Average" if score >= 50, and "Poor" otherwise. Which approach is best in Java?

hard

A. Use a switch statement with case labels for each range.

B. Use a switch with string values for score.

C. Use nested if-else statements to check ranges.

D. Use a switch with boolean expressions in cases.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the conditions

   The conditions involve ranges (score >= 90, >= 75, etc.) which cannot be directly used in switch cases.

2. Step 2: Choose the suitable control structure

   if-else statements can handle ranges and complex conditions easily, unlike switch.

3. Final Answer:

   Use nested if-else statements to check ranges. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Ranges need if-else, not switch = D [OK]

Hint: Use if-else for ranges, switch only for fixed values [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use switch for range conditions
• Using boolean expressions in switch cases
• Assuming switch works with strings for numbers
• Ignoring else for default case