Is there any alternate of switch-case in PHP ?

PHP introduced an alternative of switch-case in the release of the 8th version.

In the release of the 8th version of PHP, the match() function is introduced which is the new alternative of switch-case. It is a powerful feature that is often the best decision to use instead of a switch-case. The match() function also works similarly to switch i.e, it finds the matching case according to the parameter passed in it. 

Syntax : 

$variable = match() {
    somecase => 'match_value' ,
    anothercase => 'match_value',
    default => 'match_value',
};

Example:

$value = match(1){
    1 => 'Hii..',
    2 => 'Hello..',
    default => 'Match not found !',
};

How match() function is different from switch-case?

• It uses an arrow symbol instead of a colon.
• It does not require a break statement.
• Cases are separated by commas instead of a break statement.
• The syntax of match() is terminated by a semi-colon.
• It returns some value based on the parameter provided.
• Strict type checking and case-sensitive.
• When there is no default value and match value, it will throw an error.
• Complex condition implementation and improved performance.

Note:  The function match() is supported on PHP version 8 and above.

PHP code: The following example demonstrates the switch-case that will assign value to the variable $message on the basis of a value passed in the parameter of the switch() 

PHP

<?php

$day = 7;

switch ($day) {
    case 1 : $message = 'Monday';
             break;
    case 2 : $message = 'Tuesday';
             break;
    case 3 : $message = 'Wednesday';
             break;
    case 4 : $message = 'Thursday';
                break;
    case 5 : $message = 'Friday';
             break;
    case 6 : $message = 'Saturday';
             break;
    case 7 : $message = 'Sunday';
             break;
    default : $message = 'Invalid Input !';
              break;
}

echo $message;
?>

Output

Sunday

PHP code: The following code demonstrates the match() function which is executed only in PHP 8 or above. 

PHP

<?php

$day = 7;

$message = match ($day) {
    1 => 'Monday',
    2 => 'Tuesday',
    3 => 'Wednesday',
    4 => 'Thursday',
    5 => 'Friday',
    6 => 'Saturday',
    7 => 'Sunday',
    default => 'Invalid Input !',
};

echo $message;
?>

Output:

Sunday