match — Expert Playground

Begins a structural pattern matching block (3.10+)

Python Playground

import dis

def match_example(x):
    match x:
        case 1:
            return "one"
        case [a, b]:
            return f"pair: {a}, {b}"
        case {"key": v}:
            return f"dict with key={v}"
        case _:
            return "other"

dis.dis(match_example)

# match compiles to a series of type checks and comparisons:
# - Literal patterns use COMPARE_OP
# - Sequence patterns check type + length
# - Mapping patterns check keys
# - Class patterns use isinstance + attribute access
# Each failed pattern jumps to the next case

print(f"\nTest: {match_example(1)}")
print(f"Test: {match_example([3, 4])}")
print(f"Test: {match_example({'key': 'val'})}")

Output

Click "Run" to execute your code

match compiles to a decision tree of type checks, comparisons, and conditional jumps. Each pattern type uses different bytecode sequences to test and destructure.

Challenge

Try modifying the code above to explore different behaviors. Can you extend the example to handle a new use case?

View all Expert examples for match