Question

Is there a way to write a conditional switch statement in JavaScript?

I’m guessing not, since the following is always going to default:

var raw_value = 11.0;
switch(raw_value)
{
    case (raw_value > 10.0):
      height = 48;
      width = 36;
      break;
    case (raw_value > 5.0):
      height = 40;
      width = 30;
      break;
    default:
      height = 16;
      width = 12;
      break;
}

If not, what should I use instead – a long if/else statement?

Answer 1

In a switch statement, the evaluated value of the switch expression is compared the the evaluated values of the cases. So here the value of raw_value (number) is compared to raw_value > 10.0 (comparison expression) and raw_value > 5.0 (comparison expression).

So unless one of your case expressions yield a number equal to 11.0 or you use the switch expression true, you will always get the default case.

Just use a simple if/else instead:

var raw_value = 11.0;
if (raw_value > 10.0) {
    height = 48;
    width = 36;
} else if (raw_value > 5.0) {
    height = 40;
    width = 30;
} else {
    height = 16;
    width = 12;
}