JavaScript Conditional Statements - Switch and Ternary

Conditional statements in JavaScript allow you to make decisions in your code based on conditions. In this guide, we'll explore two important conditional structures: the switch statement and the ternary operator, and provide examples to illustrate their usage.

The Switch Statement

The switch statement is used to perform different actions based on different conditions. It's a cleaner alternative to a series of if-else if statements when you need to compare a value against multiple cases:

const day = "Monday";
switch (day) {
    case "Monday":
        console.log("It's the start of the workweek.");
        break;
    case "Friday":
        console.log("TGIF! It's Friday.");
        break;
    default:
        console.log("It's a regular day.");
}
    

The Ternary Operator

The ternary operator (conditional operator) is a concise way to write conditional statements with a simple if-else structure. It's often used for quick value assignments based on a condition:

const age = 25;
const canVote = (age >= 18) ? "Yes" : "No";
console.log(`Can I vote? ${canVote}`);
    

Using Switch for Multiple Conditions

The switch statement is also useful for handling multiple conditions by using the case statements:

const role = "admin";
switch (role) {
    case "admin":
    case "superadmin":
        console.log("You have admin privileges.");
        break;
    case "user":
        console.log("You have limited access.");
        break;
    default:
        console.log("You are not authenticated.");
}
    

Using Ternary Operator for Simple Conditions

The ternary operator is great for simple conditions, as it keeps your code concise and easy to read:

const isRaining = true;
const weatherMessage = isRaining ? "Bring an umbrella." : "Enjoy the sunshine!";
console.log(weatherMessage);
    

Conclusion

Conditional statements like the switch statement and the ternary operator are fundamental tools for controlling the flow of your JavaScript code. They allow you to make decisions and handle different scenarios in a clean and efficient manner.

Happy coding!