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🎯 Python match Statement (Switch Case Alternative) – Clean & Powerful Control Flow | TechTown.in

Tired of writing long if...elif...else chains in Python? Enter the match statement — a modern control flow tool introduced in Python 3.10 that works like a switch-case from other languages, but more powerful and Pythonic.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use match statements to make your code more readable, elegant, and scalable — with practical examples.

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🔰 What is a match Statement in Python?

The match statement allows you to match a value against multiple patterns and run code depending on which pattern fits. Think of it like switch-case, but on steroids!

match variable:
    case pattern1:
        # code block
    case pattern2:
        # code block
    case _:
        # default block

✅ Clean, readable, and easy to maintain.

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🧪 Simple Example

day = "Monday"

match day:
    case "Monday":
        print("Start of the week!")
    case "Friday":
        print("Almost weekend!")
    case _:
        print("Midweek grind!")

🎯 Output: Start of the week!

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🔢 Matching Integers

marks = 85

match marks:
    case 90:
        print("Outstanding")
    case 85:
        print("Excellent")
    case 60:
        print("Average")
    case _:
        print("Needs Improvement")

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🔁 Match Multiple Patterns

command = "exit"

match command:
    case "start" | "run":
        print("Program running...")
    case "exit" | "quit":
        print("Exiting program.")
    case _:
        print("Unknown command")

🧠 The | symbol allows OR logic.

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🧩 Match with Variable Binding

user = ("Tanmay", 22)

match user:
    case (name, age):
        print(f"Name: {name}, Age: {age}")

✅ Works with tuples and other structured data.

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🧠 Real-Life Use Case: Menu Options

choice = input("Choose: play / pause / stop: ").lower()

match choice:
    case "play":
        print("Playing song")
    case "pause":
        print("Song paused")
    case "stop":
        print("Stopped playback")
    case _:
        print("Invalid command")

🎯 Great for CLI tools, chatbot commands, game logic, and UI states.

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⚠️ Note: Only in Python 3.10+

You need Python 3.10 or newer to use match-case. Run this to check your version:

python --version

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📝 Summary – match-case Cheat Sheet

Feature	Syntax Example
Basic match	match value:
Match literal	case "text":
Match multiple patterns	`case “a”
Default case	case _:
Tuple unpacking	case (x, y):
Python version required	Python 3.10+

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Python’s match statement is a game-changer for writing elegant conditional logic. It reduces complexity, improves readability, and works beautifully with structured data.

If you’re still using long if...elif blocks, try converting them to match-case — your future self will thank you!

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📘 Explore more modern Python features at TechTown.in

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