C# Feature – Switch expressions

Overview

Switch expressions are concise and composable, leveraging pattern matching and exhaustiveness.

Introduced In

C# 8 (2019)

Before

string ColorName(ConsoleColor c)
{
  switch (c)
  {
    case ConsoleColor.Red: return "Red";
    case ConsoleColor.Green: return "Green";
    default: return "Other";
  }
}

After

string ColorName(ConsoleColor c) => c switch
{
  ConsoleColor.Red => "Red",
  ConsoleColor.Green => "Green",
  _ => "Other"
};

Gotchas & Best Practices

• Use _ discard for default; consider completeness with enums.