Java Program to Check Whether an Alphabet is Vowel or Consonant [if-else & switch-case]

Introduction

In Java programming, determining whether a given alphabet is a vowel or consonant is a basic task that helps novices understand control flow statements like if-else and switch-case. This concept is fundamental in building the foundational skills of handling conditional logic in programming.

In this article, you will learn how to create a Java program to check whether an alphabet is a vowel or consonant. First, delve into implementing this with if-else statements and then using switch-case for a comparison. Each method will be accompanied by a detailed example and explanation.

Using if-else Statements

Check Vowel or Consonant with if-else

1. Start by setting up a Java class and the main method.

2. Read a character input from the user.

3. Implement if-else logic to determine if the input is a vowel or consonant.

   java Copy

   import java.util.Scanner;
   
   public class VowelConsonantChecker {
       public static void main(String[] args) {
           Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
           System.out.print("Enter a single alphabet: ");
           char ch = scanner.next().toLowerCase().charAt(0);
   
           if (ch == 'a' || ch == 'e' || ch == 'i' || ch == 'o' || ch == 'u') {
               System.out.println(ch + " is a vowel.");
           } else if ((ch >= 'a' && ch <= 'z')) {
               System.out.println(ch + " is a consonant.");
           } else {
               System.out.println("Input is not a valid alphabet.");
           }
       }
   }
   

   This code includes a Scanner object to capture user input, converts it to lowercase to handle case sensitivity, and uses if-else statements to determine if the character is a vowel, a consonant, or an invalid input.

Using switch-case Statements

Implementing switch-case for Vowel Check

1. Create another Java class with a different input approach if desired.

2. Use a switch-case statement to check the character directly.

   java Copy

   import java.util.Scanner;
   
   public class VowelConsonantSwitch {
       public static void main(String[] args) {
           Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
           System.out.print("Enter a single alphabet: ");
           char ch = scanner.next().toLowerCase().charAt(0);
   
           switch (ch) {
               case 'a':
               case 'e':
               case 'i':
               case 'o':
               case 'u':
                   System.out.println(ch + " is a vowel.");
                   break;
               default:
                   if (ch >= 'a' && ch <= 'z') {
                       System.out.println(ch + " is a consonant.");
                   } else {
                       System.out.println("Input is not a valid alphabet.");
                   }
           }
       }
   }
   

   This implementation leverages switch-case for checking vowels. For consonant identification and error handling, an additional check is used in the default case to manage non-alphabet characters.

Conclusion

Both if-else and switch-case are excellent control structures for handling decision-making processes in Java. While if-else offers more flexibility for complex conditions, switch-case provides a more readable format when dealing with a well-defined set of values, such as checking for vowels. By mastering these examples, enhance your ability to manage simple yet crucial decision-making processes in your Java applications.