Scala Cookbook

3.11. Using Pattern Matching in Match Expressions

Problem

You need to match one or more patterns in a match expression, and the pattern may be a constant pattern, variable pattern, constructor pattern, sequence pattern, tuple pattern, or type pattern.

Solution

Define a case statement for each pattern you want to match. The following method shows examples of many different types of patterns you can use in match expressions:

def echoWhatYouGaveMe(x: Any): String = x match {

  // constant patterns
  case 0 => "zero"
  case true => "true"
  case "hello" => "you said 'hello'"
  case Nil => "an empty List"

  // sequence patterns
  case List(0, _, _) => "a three-element list with 0 as the first element"
  case List(1, _*) => "a list beginning with 1, having any number of elements"
  case Vector(1, _*) => "a vector starting with 1, having any number of elements"

  // tuples
  case (a, b) => s"got $a and $b"
  case (a, b, c) => s"got $a, $b, and $c"

  // constructor patterns
  case Person(first, "Alexander") => s"found an Alexander, first name = $first"
  case Dog("Suka") => "found a dog named Suka"

  // typed patterns
  case s: String => s"you gave me this string: $s"
  case i: Int => s"thanks for the int: $i"
  case f: Float => s"thanks for the float: $f"
  case a: Array[Int] => s"an array of int: ${a.mkString(",")}"
  case as: Array[String] => s"an array of strings: ${as.mkString(",")}"
  case d: Dog => s"dog: ${d.name}"
  case list: List[_] => s"thanks for the List: $list"
  case m: Map[_, _] => m.toString

  // the default wildcard pattern ...