if and switch in Zig

Both branch forms produce values, and switch must account for every case.

const std = @import("std");

pub fn main() void {
    const wind_knots: u32 = 26;

    // if is an expression: both arms produce the value.
    const call = if (wind_knots > 33) "stay in harbor" else "reef and go";
    std.debug.print("{s}\n", .{call});

    // switch must cover every case; ranges use three dots.
    const cloud_eighths: u8 = 3;
    switch (cloud_eighths) {
        0...2 => std.debug.print("clear enough to sail\n", .{}),
        3...5 => std.debug.print("broken cloud, watch it\n", .{}),
        else => std.debug.print("overcast, compass out\n", .{}),
    }
}

How it works

1. const call = if (...) ... else ... uses if as an expression.
2. switch ranges use 0...2 with three dots, inclusive on both ends.
3. Leave a case uncovered and the compiler rejects the switch outright — else closes the gap.

Keywords and builtins used here

• const
• else
• fn
• if
• pub
• switch
• u32
• u8
• void

The run, in numbers

Lines

17

Characters to type

525

Tokens

139

Three-star pace

70 tpm

At the three-star pace of 70 tokens a minute, this run takes about 119 seconds.

Type this snippet

Step 1 of 3 in Control flow, step 4 of 27 in Language basics.

← Previous Next →