use of operators in switch

[Donald R. Cossitt]

Can anyone tell me what the logic behind JAVA not allowing the use of operators in the case method of switch is? EG

class someClass {
    long someMethod(long param) {
        long y;
        switch (param) {
            case < x:
                y = something;
            case = x:
                y = something;
            case > x:
                do something;
            default:
                y = 0;
     }
     return y;
}

The alternative if | else if | else struct and their associated comparison operators are a pain in the ass to do and read later .
TIA
doco :roll:

(Marilyn added code tags)
[ February 02, 2003: Message edited by: Marilyn de Queiroz ]

[Mr. C Lamont Gilbert]

Does any language?
A switch statement is supposed to be a static comparison. It allows the compiler to do certain optimizations. Otherwise you might as well use an if-else chain.

[Donald R. Cossitt]

Yes. Visual Basic, VBA, VBScript are ones I know of that allow that kind of behavior in Select Case myCase

[Rich Raposa]

You're not serious, are you? Writing an "if/else if" is a pain in the ass compared to writing a switch statement?
Hmmm...next question, please.