Replace multiple if else using switch case

Every developer encounters a situation where they have to write a logic that requires checking multiple conditions but out of them only one can be true.

Let's take an example- We have to figure out the type of car based on the dimensions given. We have a class Car.cs having properties like length and width.

public class Car {
    public decimal Length { get; set; }
    public decimal Width { get; set; }
    // other properties
}

There are various ways to deal with this:

Using If..Else

This is the most conventional no brainer way is using if..else

public string GetCarType(Car car)
{
    var carType = "";
    if (car.Length <= 4.1 && car.Width <= 1.7) {
        carType = "Hatchback";
    } else if (car.Length <= 5.6 && car.Width <= 2) {
        carType = "Sedan";
    } else (car.Length > 5.6 && car.Width > 2) {
        carType = "Pickup Truck";
    }
    return carType;
}

Using multiple If

Using multiple if instead of if-else can be used to make the above code look cleaner.

public string GetCarType(Car car)
{
    if (car.Length <= 4.1 && car.Width <= 1.7) {
        return "Hatchback";
    }
    if (car.Length <= 5.6 && car.Width <= 2) {
        return "Sedan";
    }
    if (car.Length > 5.6 && car.Width > 2) {
        return "Pickup Truck";
    }
    return "";
}

Using switch case

Thanks to C# 7.0, now we can add boolean conditions in our switch cases and say goodbye to if-else forever (not literally 😜). Let's transform the above code using a switch statement.

public string GetCarType(Car car)
{
    var carType = "";
    switch (car) 
    {
        case var dimensions when dimensions.Length <= 4.1 && dimensions.Width <= 1.7:
            carType = "Hatchback"; 
            break;
        case var dimensions when dimensions.Length <= 5.6 && dimensions.Width <= 2:
            carType = "Sedan";
            break;
        default: carType = "Pickup Truck";
            break;
    }
    return carType;
}

Hope this not-so-new but hidden feature of C# will help you write more presentable code in the future.

Also, buy me a coffee, book or a pizza by clicking the image above if you like what I am doing and want to support me. 😅

Do you know any other way we can replace multiple if..else? Lemme know in the comments below.

Say Goodbye👋 to multiple If..Else

Putting case when in C# to use

Using If..Else

Using multiple If

Using switch case