---
title: Switch statements must have else clause
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
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  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Static Code Analysis (SAST) > SAST
  Rules > Switch statements must have else clause
---

# Switch statements must have else clause

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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**ID:** `apex-code-style/switch-when-else`

**Language:** Apex

**Severity:** Notice

**Category:** Best Practices

## Description{% #description %}

This rule enforces that all switch statements include an `else` clause. The `else` clause acts as a default case to handle any values not explicitly covered by the preceding `when` conditions. Ensuring an `else` clause helps prevent unexpected behavior or runtime errors when the switch value does not match any specified case.

To comply with this rule, always add a `when else` block at the end of your switch statements. For example, write `switch on myValue { when 1 { ... } when 2 { ... } when else { ... } }` to cover all possible values. This practice improves code clarity and prevents potential issues caused by unhandled cases.

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```
switch on myValue {
  when 1 {
    // something else
  }
  when 2 {
    // something else
  }
}
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```
switch on myValue {
  when 1 {
    // something else
  }
  when 2 {
    // something else
  }
  when   else {
    // something else
  }
}
```

```
switch on myValue {
  when 1 {
    // something else
  }
  when 2 {
    // something else
  }
  when else {
    // something else
  }
}
```
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