Python Academy · Lesson

match and case Basics

Branch on value patterns.

match and case Basics is a free Python Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Python Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Structural Pattern Matching

Python 3.10 introduced structural pattern matching with the match statement. It compares a value against a series of patterns and runs the first one that matches, far more powerful than chained if/elif.

Basic Syntax

Write match followed by the subject, then one or more case blocks. The first matching case runs.

command = 'start'

match command:
    case 'start':
        print('Starting up')
    case 'stop':
        print('Shutting down')

# prints: Starting up

Matching Literals

The simplest patterns are literal values: numbers, strings, True, False, and None. They match when the subject equals the literal.

code = 404

match code:
    case 200:
        print('OK')
    case 404:
        print('Not Found')
    case 500:
        print('Server Error')

The Wildcard _

The underscore _ is a wildcard pattern that matches anything. Place it last as a catch-all default, like else.

code = 418

match code:
    case 200:
        print('OK')
    case _:
        print('Unknown status')

Combining with OR

Use the | operator inside a case to match any of several patterns.

code = 301

match code:
    case 200 | 201 | 204:
        print('Success')
    case 301 | 302:
        print('Redirect')
    case _:
        print('Other')

Capturing the Value

A bare name in a pattern captures the subject into that variable. Use it when you matched a catch-all but still want the value.

value = 42

match value:
    case 0:
        print('zero')
    case other:
        print('got', other)

Order Matters

Cases are tested top to bottom and the first match wins. A broad capture pattern placed too early will shadow later, more specific cases.

x = 5

match x:
    case n:           # matches everything first!
        print('caught by capture')
    case 5:
        print('this never runs')

Match Returns Nothing

match is a statement, not an expression, so it does not return a value. Set a variable inside the cases if you need a result.

day = 6
label = ''

match day:
    case 0 | 6:
        label = 'weekend'
    case _:
        label = 'weekday'

print(label)

Matching None

You can match None directly. This is cleaner than an explicit is None check inside a chain.

def describe(value):
    match value:
        case None:
            return 'nothing'
        case _:
            return 'something: ' + str(value)

print(describe(None))
print(describe(7))

A Practical Dispatcher

Pattern matching shines as a command dispatcher, turning a long if-chain into a clear table of cases.

def handle(cmd):
    match cmd:
        case 'help':
            return 'Showing help'
        case 'quit' | 'exit':
            return 'Goodbye'
        case _:
            return 'Unknown command'

print(handle('exit'))
print(handle('foo'))

Matching True, False, and None

The constants True, False, and None are matched by identity, not equality. This makes them reliable singletons to branch on.

def report(flag):
    match flag:
        case True:
            return 'enabled'
        case False:
            return 'disabled'
        case None:
            return 'unset'

print(report(True))
print(report(None))

Quick Check

What does the wildcard pattern _ do in a match statement?

Recap

You learned to branch on value patterns.

match tests cases top to bottom; first match wins.
Match literals, use _ as catch-all, combine with |.
A bare name captures the value.
match is a statement, not an expression.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “match and case Basics” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “match and case Basics” is free to read here on the web, and the Python Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Python Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “match and case Basics”?

Branch on value patterns. You practise Python Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Python Academy?

No prior experience is required. Python Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “match and case Basics” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

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