Prefer CASE over Multiple IF / ELSEIF on the Same Variable

WarningClean ABAP & Modern Syntax#EC PREF_CASERemote Enabled

Overview

Use CASE instead of IF when checking multiple values.

ATC Finding Message: Multiple ELSEIF branches check the same variable; use CASE instead

Rationale

A chain of ELSEIF statements that compares the same variable to different values is harder to scan than a CASE statement. CASE groups all alternatives under one subject and makes a missing OTHERS branch visible. Use CASE for multi-value dispatch on a single expression.

Non-Compliant

IF lv_payment_method = 'CARD'.
  process_card( ).
ELSEIF lv_payment_method = 'CASH'.
  process_cash( ).
ELSEIF lv_payment_method = 'TRANSFER'.
  process_transfer( ).
ENDIF.

Compliant

CASE lv_payment_method.
  WHEN 'CARD'.
    process_card( ).
  WHEN 'CASH'.
    process_cash( ).
  WHEN 'TRANSFER'.
    process_transfer( ).
ENDCASE.

Configuration & Thresholds

This check can be fine-tuned directly in the ATC Check Variant Editor (CHKV) in Eclipse ADT:

Parameter Name	Data Type	Default Value	Description & Guidance
MIN_BRANCHES	Integer	3	Minimum number of ELSEIF branches on the same variable before suggesting CASE (default: 2)

Suppression

To suppress findings for this rule, append the pseudo-comment to the statement:

" Standard pseudo-comment:
... "#EC PREF_CASE

" SAP CI_ prefix format:
... "#EC CI_PREF_CASE

Related Rules

• Prefer COND #( ) Expression over IF/ELSEIF/ELSE — #EC PREF_COND
• Prefer SWITCH #( ) Expression over CASE Statement — #EC PREF_SWITCH
• Avoid CASE with a Single WHEN Branch — #EC NO_SINGLE_WHEN

Technical Details

• Native ATC Class: ZCL_SKYLINT_PREF_CASE
• Implementation File: zcl_skylint_pref_case.clas.abap