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sidebar_position: 9
slug: /switch_component
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# Switch component

A component that evaluates whether specified conditions are met and directs the follow of execution accordingly. 

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A **Switch** component evaluates conditions based on the output of specific components, directing the flow of execution accordingly to enable complex branching logic.

## Scenarios

A **Switch** component is essential for condition-based direction of execution flow. While it shares similarities with the [Categorize](https://ragflow.io/docs/dev/categorize_component) component, which is also used in multi-pronged strategies, the key distinction lies in their approach: the evaluation of the **Switch** component is rule-based, whereas the **Categorize** component involves AI and uses an LLM for decision-making. 

## Configurations

### Case n

A **Switch** component must have at least one case, each with multiple specified conditions and *only one* downstream component. When multiple conditions are specified for a case, you must set the logical relationship between them to either AND or OR.

#### Next step

Specifies the downstream component of this case.

- *Once you specify the ID of the downstream component, a link is established between this case and the corresponding component.*
- *If you manually link this case to a downstream component on the canvas, the ID of that component is auto-populated.*

#### Condition

Evaluates whether the output of specific components meets certain conditions, with **Component ID**, **Operator**, and **Value** together forming a conditional expression.

:::danger IMPORTANT
When you have added multiple conditions for a specific case, a **Logical operator** field appears, requiring you to set the logical relationship between these conditions as either AND or OR.
:::

- **Component ID**: The ID of the corresponding component.
- **Operator**: The operator required to form a conditional expression.
  - Equals
  - Not equal
  - Greater than
  - Greater equal
  - Less than
  - Less equal
  - Contains 
  - Not contains 
  - Starts with
  - Ends with
  - Is empty
  - Not empty
- **Value**: A single value, which can be an integer, float, or string.  
  - Delimiters, multiple values, or expressions are *not* supported.
  - Strings need not be wrapped in `""` or `''`.

### ELSE 

**Required**. Specifies the downstream component if none of the conditions defined above are met.

*Once you specify the ID of the downstream component, a link is established between ELSE and the corresponding component.*