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

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

The match statement is a structural pattern matching feature introduced in Python 3.10, while if-elif is a traditional conditional statement. Match statements allow for more complex matching scenarios, including destructuring data.

Can you give me an example of how to use a match statement?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

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

How does this compare to using if-elif?

Using if-elif, it would look like this:

if value == 1:
    print('One')
elif value == 2:
    print('Two')
else:
    print('Something else')

The match statement is cleaner and more readable for multiple conditions.

Are there any performance differences between the two?

In general, match statements can be more efficient for complex patterns, but for simple conditions, the performance difference is negligible. It's best to choose based on readability and maintainability.