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JavaScript switch return statement | Example code

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If you want something returned, stick it in a function then use the switch return statement in JavaScript. You don’t need the clutter of break; statements if you wrap it in a function.

function switchResult(a){
    switch(a){
        default: 
            return "OK";
    }
}

var a = switchResult(3);

Example switch case with return statement in JavaScript

Simple example code return statements inside the cases specify what the function will return given different conditions.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
  <script type="text/javascript">
    function switchResult(a){   
      switch(a){   
        case 1: return "FOO";
        case 2: return "BAR";
        case 3: return "FOOBAR";
        
        default: 
          return "OK";      
      }
    }
    var res = switchResult(3);
    console.log(res)
  </script>

</body>
</html>

Output:

JavaScript switch return statement

ES6 lets you do this using an immediately-invoked lambda:

const a = (() => {
  switch(3) {
    default: return "OK";
  }
})();

Is returning out of a switch statement considered better practice than using a break?

Answer: A break will allow you to continue processing the function. Just returning out of the switch is fine if that’s all you want to do in the function.

switch using return:

function myFunction(opt) 
{
    switch (opt) 
    {
        case 1: return "One";
        case 2: return "Two";
        case 3: return "Three";

        default: return "";
    }    
}

switch using break:

function myFunction(opt) 
{
    var retVal = "";

    switch (opt) 
    {
        case 1: 
            retVal = "One";
            break;

        case 2: 
            retVal = "Two";
            break;

        case 3: 
            retVal = "Three";
            break;
    }

    return retVal;
}

Do comment if you have any doubts or suggestions on this JS switch case.

Note: The All JS Examples codes are tested on the Firefox browser and the Chrome browser.

OS: Windows 10

Code: HTML 5 Version

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