Question

How can I use a condition inside a switch statement for JavaScript?
In the example below, a case should match when the variable liCount is <= 5 and > 0; however, my code does not work:

switch (liCount) {
  case 0:
    setLayoutState("start");
    var api = $("#UploadList").data("jsp");
    api.reinitialise();
    break;
  case liCount <= 5 && liCount > 0:
    setLayoutState("upload1Row");
    var api = $("#UploadList").data("jsp");
    api.reinitialise();
    break;
  case liCount <= 10 && liCount > 5:
    setLayoutState("upload2Rows");
    var api = $("#UploadList").data("jsp");
    api.reinitialise();
    break;
  case liCount > 10:
    var api = $("#UploadList").data("jsp");
    api.reinitialise();
    break;
  default:
    break;
}

Appreciate any advice!

Answer 1

This works:

switch (true) {
    case liCount == 0:
        setLayoutState('start');
        var api = $('#UploadList').data('jsp');
        api.reinitialise();
        break;
    case liCount<=5 && liCount>0:
        setLayoutState('upload1Row');
        var api = $('#UploadList').data('jsp');
        api.reinitialise();
        break;
    case liCount<=10 && liCount>5:
        setLayoutState('upload2Rows');
        var api = $('#UploadList').data('jsp');
        api.reinitialise();
        break;
    case liCount>10:
        var api = $('#UploadList').data('jsp');
        api.reinitialise();
        break;                  
}

The only thing necessary is switch(true){...} and for your case expressions to evaluate to booleans.

It works because, the value we give to the switch is used as the basis to compare against. Consequently, the case expressions, also evaluating to booleans will determine which case is run. Could also turn this around, and pass switch(false){..} and have the desired expressions evaluate to false instead of true.. but personally prefer dealing with conditions that evaluate to truthyness. However, it does work too, so worth keeping in mind to understand what it is doing.

Eg: if liCount is 3, the first comparison is true === (liCount == 0), meaning the first case is false. The switch then moves on to the next case true === (liCount<=5 && liCount>0). This expression evaluates to true, meaning this case is run, and terminates at the break. I’ve added parentheses here to make it clearer, but they are optional, depending on the complexity of your expression.

It’s pretty simple, and a neat way (if it fits with what you are trying to do) of handling a long series of conditions, where perhaps a long series of ìf() ... else if() ... else if () ... might introduce a lot of visual noise or fragility.

Use with caution, because it is a non-standard pattern, despite being valid code.