Improvement to switch-case statement

[Stewart Gordon]

Yigal Chripun wrote:
<snip>
> IMO, either the switch statement should remain the low level 
> (effiecient) construct as in C, or replaced by a general mechanism of 
> pattern matching. your solution is kinda between the two above options 
> and I don't see the point of it.

What would a "general mechanism of pattern matching" involve, and how 
would it replace switch?  Would it replace if as well?

> I'd personally prefer pattern matching to be added to D and the switch 
> to be deprecated and eventually removed from the language.

I'd personally prefer my proposal from years ago to be taken seriously:
http://www.digitalmars.com/d/archives/22722.html

ISTM silly to improve switch but at the same time keep it restricted to 
the same old arcane syntax.

Stewart.