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C# Conditional Statements: switch-case vs. if/else - A Performance Analysis
This article examines the performance differences between switch-case
and if/else
statements in C#. A common question is whether the choice significantly impacts code efficiency. Let's clarify the misconceptions and explore the performance considerations.
IL and Runtime Performance: The Reality
The belief that switch-case
and if/else
drastically differ in performance is often inaccurate. In release mode, the compiler optimizes switch-case
statements into efficient jump tables (MSIL 'switch'), leading to constant-time (O(1)) execution.
Compiler Optimizations: String Comparisons
A key optimization in C# involves string comparisons within switch-case
. If the number of string cases surpasses a certain threshold, the compiler generates a hash table. This hash table lookup significantly outperforms the sequential string comparisons inherent in if/else
structures.
Best Practices: When to Use Which
For improved efficiency, prioritize switch-case
when handling numerous conditions (generally more than 5). With fewer conditions, the choice often boils down to code readability and developer preference. Readability should generally be favored unless performance profiling reveals a bottleneck.
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