How to write a switch statement in Ruby

How to Write a Switch Statement in Ruby: Simplified Guide 🚀

Introduction

Ruby, an elegant and dynamic programming language, offers a variety of control structures to handle different scenarios. However, Ruby does not have a built-in switch statement like some other languages. But worry not! In this guide, we'll explore alternative techniques to achieve similar functionality using Ruby.

The Problem

Ruby does not have a switch statement like languages such as Java or C++. This often confuses developers who are familiar with these languages, leading to code that is less expressive and harder to maintain.

The Solution: Case Statements

In Ruby, we can leverage the power of the case statement to achieve the same functionality as a switch statement. The case statement enables us to evaluate one or more expressions and execute a block of code based on the evaluation result.

Here's the basic syntax of a case statement:

case expression
when value1
  # code to execute if expression matches value1
when value2
  # code to execute if expression matches value2
else
  # code to execute if expression matches none of the values
end

• The expression represents the value you want to compare.

• The when keyword specifies the value to match against.

• The else block is optional and executes when none of the values match.

Here's an example to illustrate the usage of a case statement in Ruby:

def convert_grade(grade)
  case grade
  when 90..100
    'A'
  when 80..89
    'B'
  when 70..79
    'C'
  else
    'F'
  end
end

puts convert_grade(85)
# Output: B

In the example above, we define a method called convert_grade that takes a grade argument. The case statement checks the value of the grade and returns the corresponding letter grade.

Advanced Techniques

The case statement in Ruby can handle various types of expressions, not just simple values. Here are a few advanced techniques to enhance your code:

Pattern Matching with Regular Expressions

Instead of using plain values, you can utilize regular expressions to match more complex patterns. This is useful when dealing with string comparisons.

case email
when /[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,}/i
  puts 'Valid email address'
else
  puts 'Invalid email address'
end

Method Calls

You can even call a method directly inside a case statement to determine which code block to execute.

case get_user_role(user)
when 'admin'
  puts 'Access granted!'
when 'user'
  puts 'Access granted with limitations.'
else
  puts 'Access denied!'
end

Your Turn

Now that you understand how to write a switch statement in Ruby using case, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Try refactoring existing code or create new projects while utilizing this powerful control structure. Share your experiences and code in the comments below!

Conclusion

Although Ruby doesn't have a switch statement like other languages, the case statement provides a flexible alternative. By leveraging the case statement, we can write expressive and concise code, solving complex problems with ease. Remember to make the most out of advanced techniques like regular expressions and method calls within your case statements.

So, go ahead and level up your Ruby skills by embracing the versatility of the case statement. Happy coding! 💻✨