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Switch Statements

Signs and Symptoms

You have a complex switch operator or sequence of if statements.

Reasons for the Problem

Relatively rare use of switch and case operators is one of the hallmarks of object-oriented code. Often code for a single switch can be scattered in different places in the program. When a new condition is added, you have to find all the switch code and modify it.

As a rule of thumb, when you see switch you should think of polymorphism.

Treatment

Payoff

  • Improved code organization.

When to Ignore

  • When a switch operator performs simple actions, there’s no reason to make code changes.

  • Often switch operators are used by factory design patterns (Factory Method or Abstract Factory) to select a created class.