== Why is this an issue?

Many existing switch statements are essentially simulations of switch expressions, where each arm either assigns to a common target variable or returns a value. Expressing this as a statement is roundabout, repetitive, and error-prone.


Java 14 added support for switch expressions, which provide more succinct and less error-prone version of switch.


=== Noncompliant code example

[source,java]
----
void day_of_week(DoW day) {
    int numLetters;
    switch (day) {  // Noncompliant
      case MONDAY:
      case FRIDAY:
      case SUNDAY:
        numLetters = 6;
        break;
      case TUESDAY:
        numLetters = 7;
        break;
      case THURSDAY:
      case SATURDAY:
        numLetters = 8;
        break;
      case WEDNESDAY:
        numLetters = 9;
        break;
      default:
        throw new IllegalStateException("Wat: " + day);
    }
}

int return_switch(int x) {
    switch (x) { // Noncompliant
      case 1:
        return 1;
      case 2:
        return 2;
      default:
        throw new IllegalStateException();
    }
}
----


=== Compliant solution

[source,java]
----
int numLetters = switch (day) {
    case MONDAY, FRIDAY, SUNDAY -> 6;
    case TUESDAY                -> 7;
    case THURSDAY, SATURDAY     -> 8;
    case WEDNESDAY              -> 9;
};
----


ifdef::env-github,rspecator-view[]

'''
== Implementation Specification
(visible only on this page)

=== Message

Use "switch" expression to set value of "variable".

Use "switch" expression to return value from method.


'''
== Comments And Links
(visible only on this page)

=== on 28 Jan 2019, 15:21:02 Tibor Blenessy wrote:
https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/325

endif::env-github,rspecator-view[]