`if`, `switch`, or `match`. What to use and when (in PHP)

• 1. The if Statement
• 2. The switch Statement
• 3. The match Expression (as of PHP 8.0)
• Comparative Analysis

In PHP, making decisions based on different conditions is a fundamental part of programming. The language offers several control structures for this purpose, notably if, switch, and the recently introduced match. Each has its unique syntax and use case scenarios. Understanding when and how to use these structures is key to writing clear, efficient, and maintainable code.

¶1. The if Statement

The if statement is the most basic way to perform condition-based actions. It's incredibly flexible and ideal for various scenarios, especially when you have a limited number of conditions or more complex logic.

Syntax:

if ($condition) {
    // code to execute if condition is true
} elseif ($anotherCondition) {
    // code to execute if another condition is true
} else {
    // code to execute if no conditions are true
}

When to Use:

• When you have a small number of conditions.
• When conditions are not just based on different values of a single variable.
• When the logic for each condition is more complex.

¶2. The switch Statement

switch is best suited for comparing the same variable or expression with many different values. It's more readable than multiple if statements when dealing with a single variable.

Syntax:

switch ($variable) {
    case 'value1':
        // code to execute for value1
        break;

    case 'value2':
        // code to execute for value2
        break;

    default:
        // code to execute if no case is matched
}

When to Use:

• When you have several conditions that use the same variable.
• When you need to compare a variable to distinct constant values.
• When the actions for each case are relatively straightforward.

¶3. The match Expression (as of PHP 8.0)

The match expression, introduced in PHP 8.0, is similar to switch, but it offers more power and flexibility. It can return values and doesn't require a break statement to prevent fall-through.

Syntax:

$result = match ($variable) {
    'value1' => 'Result for value1',
    'value2' => 'Result for value2',
    default => 'Default result',
};

When to Use:

• When you need a concise way to return different values based on a single variable.
• When you want to avoid the verbosity of switch and the need for break statements.
• When you are using PHP 8.0 or higher.

¶Comparative Analysis

• Flexibility: if is the most flexible, as it can handle various conditions. switch and match are more limited to specific values of a single variable.

• Readability: For multiple conditions based on the same variable, switch and match are more readable than multiple if-else blocks.

• Performance: While performance differences are usually negligible, switch and match can be slightly faster in scenarios with many conditions.

• Return Values: Only match can directly return a value, making it suitable for assigning values based on a condition.

Choosing between if, switch, and match depends on the specific requirements of your code. if is ideal for complex conditions and a smaller number of checks. switch is great for readability when comparing one variable against many values. match brings the advantages of switch with additional features like value returning and concise syntax, provided you're using PHP 8.0 or higher.