What are the differences between match-case and if statements in Python?

What are the differences between match-case and if statements in Python?

In Python, 'match-case' is a structural pattern matching feature introduced in Python 3.10, while 'if' statements are traditional conditional statements. 'match-case' allows for more complex matching of data structures, whereas 'if' is used for simpler conditions.

Can you give me an example of how to use match-case?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

value = 2
match value:
    case 1:
        print('One')
    case 2:
        print('Two')
    case _:
        print('Something else')

This will print 'Two' because the value matches the case.

When should I use match-case instead of if?

Use 'match-case' when you need to match against multiple patterns or when working with complex data structures. It's more readable and concise for such cases. For simple conditions, 'if' statements are perfectly fine.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Generally, the performance difference is negligible for most use cases. However, 'match-case' can be more efficient for complex pattern matching due to its optimized design. For simple conditions, 'if' statements are straightforward and efficient.