What is pattern matching in Rust?

What is pattern matching in Rust?

Pattern matching in Rust is a powerful feature that allows you to compare a value against a series of patterns and execute code based on which pattern matches.

Can you give me an example of how to use pattern matching?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

let number = 5;
match number {
    1 => println!("One"),
    2 => println!("Two"),
    3 => println!("Three"),
    _ => println!("Not One, Two, or Three"),
}

This code checks the value of number and prints a message based on its value.

What does the underscore (_) mean in the match statement?

The underscore (_) acts as a catch-all pattern. It matches any value that hasn't been matched by the previous patterns, effectively serving as a default case.

Are there any limitations to pattern matching in Rust?

Yes, pattern matching can only be used with types that implement the Match trait, and it can become complex with nested patterns or large enums.