How Can I Implement a Case/Switch Statement in Python?

Python's Alternative to the Case/Switch Statement

Although Python does not natively offer a direct equivalent to the case/switch statement, there are several potential workarounds.

Pattern Matching (Python 3.10 and Above)

In Python 3.10, pattern matching was introduced as a more versatile substitute for conditional statements. This feature allows developers to compare a value to a series of patterns and execute corresponding blocks of code.

Example:

def http_error(status):
    match status:
        case 400:
            return "Bad request"
        case 404:
            return "Not found"
        case 418:
            return "I'm a teapot"
        case _:  # Wildcard case
            return "Something's wrong with the internet"

Dictionary-Based Approach (Pre-Python 3.10)

Before pattern matching was available, a common Python workaround involved using a dictionary to map input values to their corresponding function blocks.

Example:

options = {0: zero, 1: sqr, 4: sqr, 9: sqr, 2: even, 3: prime, 5: prime, 7: prime}

def num_type(num):
    options[num]()

Additional Notes:

• Pattern matching is the preferred solution in Python 3.10 and above due to its conciseness and flexibility.
• The dictionary-based approach may be suitable for simple use cases where fall-through behavior is not needed.
• Third-party libraries can provide additional switch-like functionality, but they may have their own quirks and limitations.

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