Should I switch by ints or chars?

[Stuart Goss]

I was wondering, whether I should have my switch statement switch on a char or an int or even a short? Has anybody got an idea which one is best?
Stuart

[Johannes de Jong]

Stuart Switch requires that the value can be converted to int. Considering that char and short will need to be converted I assume that int will be best.
[This message has been edited by Johannes de Jong (edited July 23, 2001).]

[Stuart Goss]

Are you sure that switch converts the expression? I looked in the java language specification... and I couldn't find anything.

The type of the Expression must be char, byte, short, or int, or a compile-time error occurs.

But I suppose the expression is transformed into an integer in the byte code, or not?
I'm still not convinced, jdj

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

What are you gaining by using a short?

[jason adam]

Switch takes anything that is int-compatible. Since the others can fit within an int, they work.
I agree with Marilyn, I've never used a short. The memory savings just aren't warranted to bother with the need for casting and such.
Jason

[Stuart Goss]

So, unless I'm switching on chars like '+' or '-' there is no need to use char to switch on, I can just take an int. I'll do that next time, thanks a lot.
Stuart