What are jump tables and how are they used in different programming languages?

What are jump tables and how do they work in programming?

Jump tables are data structures used to implement jump statements, allowing efficient branching in code execution.

Can you give me an example of a jump table in C?

Sure! In C, a jump table can be implemented using an array of function pointers to handle different cases in a switch statement.

How do other languages like Python or Java handle jump tables?

Python doesn't have built-in jump tables, but you can use dictionaries for similar functionality. Java uses switch statements that compile to jump tables under the hood.

Are there performance benefits to using jump tables?

Yes, jump tables can improve performance by reducing the number of comparisons needed for branching, especially in large switch statements.