Why do we need break after case statements?

Question

Why doesn\'t the compiler automatically put break statements after each code block in the switch? Is it for historical reasons? When would you want multiple code blocks to e

Answer 1

You can makes easily to separate other type of number, month, count.
This is better then if in this case;

public static void spanishNumbers(String span){

    span = span.toLowerCase().replace(" ", "");
    switch (span){
     case "1":    
     case "jan":  System.out.println("uno"); break;    
     case "2":      
     case "feb":  System.out.println("dos"); break;    
     case "3":     
     case "mar":  System.out.println("tres"); break;   
     case "4":   
     case "apr":  System.out.println("cuatro"); break;
     case "5":    
     case "may":  System.out.println("cinco"); break;
     case "6":     
     case "jun":  System.out.println("seis"); break;
     case "7":    
     case "jul":  System.out.println("seite"); break;
     case "8":    
     case "aug":  System.out.println("ocho"); break;
     case "9":   
     case "sep":  System.out.println("nueve"); break;
     case "10":    
     case "oct": System.out.println("diez"); break;
     }
 }