What are the best practices for using switch statements in programming?

What are the best practices for using switch statements in programming?

When using switch statements, it's best to ensure that each case is distinct and to avoid fall-through unless necessary.

Can you explain what fall-through means?

Fall-through occurs when a case in a switch statement does not have a break statement, causing execution to continue into the next case.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, switch statements can be more efficient than multiple if-else statements, especially with many conditions, but always profile your code.

What about using enums with switch statements?

Using enums can improve code readability and maintainability, as they provide meaningful names instead of arbitrary values.