PHP switch statement with same value in multiple cases

Question

I really like the structure of the switch statement compared to using multiple if else. However some times I want to use the switch statement and have the same value in multiple cases. Can this be done somehow?

switch($fruit) {
  case 'apple':
  case 'orange':
    // do something for both apples and oranges
    break;

  case: 'apple':
    // do something for only apples
    break;

  case: 'orange':
    // do something for only oranges
    break;
}

I hope my example show what I intend to do...

Answer 1

No, it cannot. The first case that matches and everything following it until the first break statement or the end of the switch statement will be executed. If you break , you break out of the switch statement and cannot re-enter it. The best you could do is:

switch ($fruit) {
    case 'apple':
    case 'orange':
        ...

        switch ($fruit) {
            case 'apple':
                ...
            case 'orange':
                ...
        }
}

But really, don't. If you need some special action for those two before the individual switch , do an if (in_array($fruit, ['apple', 'orange'])) ... before the switch . Or rethink your entire program logic and structure to begin with.

Answer 2

Create some function and do it like this:

switch($fruit) {

  case: 'apple':
    apple_and_orange_function();
    apple_function();
    break;

  case: 'orange':
    apple_and_orange_function();
    orange_function();
    break;
}

Answer 3

You cannot match something multiple times, but you can write cascades like these:

switch($fruit) {
  case 'apple':
    // do something for only apples
  case 'orange':
    // do something for both apples and oranges
    break;
  case: 'grapefruit':
    // do something for only grapefruits
    break;
}

What you want can only be performed with if-else's or deceze's solution though